Luang Por Chamnan Portrait (series:hanuman leading the army to victory) by Luang Por Chamnan

Description:

Luang Por Chamnan Portrait (Series: Hanuman Leading The Army To Victory, Temple’s Embossed Seal) by "Phra Rajsiri Wachararangsi" Luang Por Than Chao Khun Chamnan Uttamapanyo, Abbot of Wat Chinwararam Worawihan (Royal Monastery), Pathum Thani Province.

The origin of this sacred portrait dates back to the year 1994 (B.E. 2537). It is regarded as one of the legendary portraits of Luang Por Chamnan, well known and cherished by all of his disciples. Owing to its widely told spiritual power and sacred aura, this particular edition has long been sought after by devotees and followers alike, who have continued to venerate and collect it from that time to the present day.
 

This particular portrait was originally created as the prototype image for Luang Por Chamnan's first batch coin. Because of this, it later came to be known among disciples as "The prototype image for the first batch coin". Luang Por Chamnan consecrated this portrait alongside the first batch coins released for devotees in the same year, with the intention of allowing his disciples and followers to make merit together by raising funds for the construction of a Buddha hall at Wat Bang Kudi Thong School.
 

However, not long after the portrait was made available for veneration, Luang Por Chamnan unexpectedly withdrew all remaining copies and kept them in his kuti (monk’s residence), ceasing further distribution. When some disciples questioned him about this decision, he responded with a revealing remark: "This portrait is too powerful, it grants invulnerability. Gangsters started using it. Once they had it, they went around fighting and stabbing others without fear".
 

Back in those days, Luang Por Chamnan was still actively practicing as a sacred tattoo master (Arjarn Sak-Yant). After completing each tattoo, he would test its power by striking or slashing the person with a set of nine ritual knives, sharpened daily. His followers came from all walks of life, but a certain group of them were young hot-blooded men, full of fire and fearlessness. Once they received a sacred tattoo from Luang Por Chamnan, especially when carrying sacred amulets like this particular portrait, they became even more daring, seemingly fearless in the face of danger.
 

Whenever his disciples clashed with rival groups, they would always come out victorious. Stories began to spread far and wide that Luang Por Chamnan’s disciples were truly invulnerable, immune to blades and bullets, as the saying goes. They were even compared to "Hanuman, son of the wind god, who could not be killed". Weapons, whether guns, swords, or knives, were said to have no effect on them. Some would even boldly stand still and challenge their enemies to strike them with blades, completely unfazed.
 

One day, a group of police officers and government officials made their way to Wat Bang Kudi Thong to meet with Luang Por Chamnan. They respectfully requested that he stop performing sacred tattoos (Sak-Yant), explaining that if things continued as they were, they would no longer be able to carry out their duties effectively. Luang Por Chamnan, with his great compassion, listened to their concerns and honored their request. From that day onward, he ceased giving sacred tattoos (Sak-Yant) to anyone.
 

This particular portrait had remained inside Luang Por Chamnan’s kuti ever since that time. Whenever he performed consecration rituals for any batch of sacred amulets, this portrait would also receive the spiritual empowerment alongside them, each and every time. Twenty years later, in July 2014 (B.E. 2557), Luang Por Chamnan arranged for repairs to be made inside his kuti, which had deteriorated over time.

As the repair team began clearing out the area, they discovered that many items had been damaged by insects and rats. Surprisingly, however, these portraits, despite being stored only in thin plastic food bags, were found to be almost entirely intact. Not a single one showed any signs of being chewed or damaged by animals. This was seen as a truly remarkable and mysterious occurrence.
 

The portrait in this batch depicts Luang Por Chamnan during the time he was still practicing as a sacred tattoo master (Arjarn Sak-Yant). In the image, there is a “Pan Bai Sri” (traditional ceremonial offering tray) placed in front of him. Interestingly, the pan bai sri was not originally intended to be included in the photograph. Its presence came about as the result of a mysterious and astonishing event. When the photographer developed the film, he was shocked by what he saw, something he had never encountered in all his years behind the camera. The developed image showed absolutely no trace of Luang Por Chamnan. He simply did not appear in the photo at all.
 

After the photographer encountered the mysterious phenomenon in which Luang Por Chamnan simply did not appear in the developed photo, an event often referred to as "a supernatural power guarding the image from being taken", he hurried to inform Luang Por Chamnan of what had happened. Upon hearing this, Luang Por Chamnan kindly permitted a retake. This time, he carefully arranged a pan bai sri (a traditional ceremonial offering tray) in front of him and lit incense and candles to respectfully inform and pay homage to his revered spiritual teachers, following the sacred tradition passed down through generations.

When the film from this second session was developed, everything went smoothly. The image of Luang Por Chamnan appeared perfectly, clear, sharp, and beautiful, just as expected. That is why, in this particular portait, the pan bai sri appears in front of Luang Por Chamnan, a detail born not of design, but of divine circumstance.
 

Regarding the mysterious incident in which the photograph initially failed to capture Luang Por Chamnan’s image, those disciples who are familiar with the story all share the same belief: during the time when Luang Por Chamnan was still actively practicing as a Sak-Yant master, the spirit of his tattoo masters (Kru) were extremely powerful, and very strict. As a result, this portriat has come to be regarded as "One of the most spiritually intense images" of Luang Por Chamnan to this day.
 

In this particular portrait, the “Hanuman Leading The Army To Victory” yantra appears at the bottom. This yantra is one that Luang Por Chamnan held in great reverence and confidence, as evidenced by his inclusion of it on the back of his first batch coin, as well as on many other sacred amulets he created.

The power of the “Hanuman Leading The Army To Victory” yantra is especially renowned for granting victory. It empowers the bearer with strong courage and determination to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. Whatever the bearer sets out to do, success comes from all directions, and victory is assured. Additionally, this yantra serves as a powerful reflector of negativity. Enemies with ill intentions, whether visible or hidden, will ultimately suffer ruin and destruction by their own devices. As depicted in the yantra, Hanuman, the monkey king holding the victory banner, leads the army to triumph, fiercely overwhelming foes with his mighty power. Even when arrows strike his body, they cause no harm, instead, they bounce off and fly back to strike the enemies, bringing death to the foes.
 

Note: This portrait is a special edition because it serves as the original prototype image for Luang Por Chamnan’s first batch coin, featuring the temple’s embossed seal, which has never appeared in this portrait of other editions. It is part of an old series that Luang Por Chamnan consecrated many decades ago. Recently, only 100 copies were released as commemorative keepsakes and given to those who made merit at Wat Chinwararam on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

The portrait that reflects and reminds the faithful of the long path of merit-building of Luang Por Chamnan.

Hanuman, the monkey king holding the victory banner, leads the army to triumph, fiercely overwhelming foes with his mighty power. Even when arrows strike his body, they cause no harm, instead, they bounce off and fly back to strike the enemies, bringing death to the foes.