What is DinSorPhong?

Amulet collectors would have noticed an interesting detail on certain amulets. There is a spot of white powder, anointed onto the amulet itself. Enthusiasts are often puzzled by the provenance of this powder.

The same white powder may also be used to write yants

on doorways and entrance points, or onto cars for blessings.

The powder is known as DinSorPhong, and it has its origins in the mythology of Hanuman

.

History

Lopburi

province is home to an unusually large population of monkeys. There is even an annual monkey festival held in 2 temples in the area; Phra Prang Sam Yod and San Phrakarn, usually around the 24^th-25^th of November.

 

According to legend, Hanuman assisted Rama

in rescuing Sita, who was held prisoner by Ravana. In the battle that ensued, Rama’s brother, Lakshmana was mortally wounded. Lakshmana was saved after Hanuman brought a whole mountain, which had all the magical herbs to heal Lakshmana.

 

The battle ended with Rama triumphing over Ravana, and Hanuman setting Ravana’s kingdom ablaze. Rama was extremely pleased with Hanuman’s bravery and resourcefulness and wanted to reward him. He shot his arrow into the sky, promising Hanuman that wherever the arrow landed, was where Hanuman would be blessed with land for his own kingdom. It was said that the arrow landed on Lopburi, and Hanuman settled there with his troops, resulting in the unusually large monkey population. The monkeys who exist there today, as the story goes, are his descendants.

 

The spot where the arrow landed is marked by a small pillar stone named “San Phra Ram

”, believed to be Rama’s actual arrow. It is surrounded by a well, called “Bor Saksit”. It is the centrepiece of a Thai-Chinese shrine called “San Luk Sorn”.

 

It is believed that the well surrounding the pillar stone should never be allowed to run dry, or Rama’s arrow will reignite and raze Lopburi to the ground. Rama’s arrow burned with the fire and fury of a thousand suns, yet when it hit the ground, Hanuman extinguished the flames with merely his tail. The white-ash that was left was called DinSorPhong, forever consecrated as sacred, even till the present day.

Mining DinSorPhong

DinSorPhong is actually Marl, a calcium carbonate mudstone which contains clay and silt. It is said that the most efficacious examples come from Moo Barn HinSorng Gon (near Klong Cholprathan), Tambon TalayChupsorn, Ampur Muang, Changwat Lopburi

, as that was the site of legend.

DinSorPhong is traditionally mined from the ground, and sometimes from lagoons or lakes. It has to undergo a process of the refinery, before being utilized.

Usage

DinSorPhong usage has been widespread for over 600 years, used in everything from cosmetics, to herbal concoctions for medicinal use, to farmers altering the pH value of their soil, and even by carpenters to prevent their wood from splintering.

It is also used as an ingredient in making amulets (see our article on Phong Pattamung, Phong Ittijay

) or used by monks to anoint devotees and amulets during blessing ceremonies, or for blessing homes by drawing yant.

Said yant are steeped in the traditions and unique practices of individual lineages. Herein describes the method used by Luang Phor Poon

of Wat Pailom.

Recipe for Use from Luang Phor Poon, Wat Pailom

To prepare DinSorPhong for usage, a Katha need to be recited while mixing it with water.

Phra Katha Sek DinSorPhong

To be recited during the mixing process

Puttang yawah chee wang, saranang kachami,

Thammang yawah chee wang, saranang kachami,

Sangkang yawah chee wang, saranang kachami.

Meaning of Dots

Luang Phor will write the yants consisting of several dots, called “Jood

”. Each dot prescribes auspicious significance. The mere presence of a single dot, however, provides sufficient Puttakoon power to bestow good sales, metta mahaniyom, klaew klad, plod pai and many other forms of auspiciousness.

Whether the yant consists of 3 dots or in some cases, up to 10 dots, it is written in a pyramid shape with “U Na Lom

” on top, finished by a sentence of yant below the dots. As Luang Phor inscribes the “U Na Lom”, he will recite “Ma Pa Na Cha Ya Tay”. The sentence of yant situated below varies according to the specific number of dots used. Here are each of these sentences, and their significance;

• One Dot (Jood) – Luang Phor inscribes “Eh Ka A Mi”, symbolizing that the fruit of Nippan reigning among all virtue and happiness.
• Two Dots – Written as “Putto
  ”.”, which means the monk is empowered to act on behalf of the Buddha.
• Three Dots – Written as “Ma A U
  ”.
  ”, which refers to Keaw Sam Prakarn (The Threefold Refuge; Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha)
• Four Dots – These yants will be inscribed:
  1. Tu Sa Ni Ma
     ”(also known as Hua Jai Ariya Sadsi
     ”.)
  2. Na Cha Li Ti
     ” (also known as Phra Sivali),
  3. U Ah Kar Sa
     ”(also as ua Jai Setthi
     ”.),
  4. Na Ma A U
     ”(referring to Phra Tripidok
     ”.),
  5. Na Ma Pa Ta
     ” (referring to Taat Tang Si
     ”.)

Hua Jai Ariya Sadsi – Heart of 4 (indicating the 4 Noble Truths expounded by the Buddha); Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, Magga

Phra Sivali – For wealth

Hua Jai Setthi – Heart of a Millionaire, comprisin3g 4 key aspects – Diligence, Austerity, Steadfastness in Friendship and Virtue

Phra Tripidok – Tripitaka

; the Buddhist Scripture referred as the 3 Baskets

Taat Tang Si – Earth, Water, Fire, Air

• Five Dots – For 5 dots, the yant inscribed below is “Na Mo Putta Ya
  ”, which refers to Phra Puttajao Har Phra Ong
  (refer to our article on this). It also refers to the 5 Buddhist Precepts
• Six Dots – The yant inscribed is “Ei Sa Wa Su Su, Su Wa Ei
  ” which represents the Sun.
• Seven Dots – The yant inscribed is “Sa Ta Wi Pi Pa Su U
  ” which represents the Wind.
• Eight Dots – The yant “Pa Ma Na U Ka Sa Na Tu
  ” is inscribed. It has several meaning; Gammatan (Meditation), the 8 Buddhist Precepts, and Phra AngKang
  (Tuesday Buddha)

• Nine Dots – The yant inscribed is “A Sang Wi Su Lo Pu Sa Pu Pa
  ” There are two kinds of symbolism embodied here. The first explanation refers to the Path, Fruition and Goal described in Buddhism.
  • The first 4 refer to Magga or Path;
    1. Dana
    2. Sila
    3. Samadhi
    4. Panna
  • The next 4 refer to Phala or Fruits;
    1. Sotapanna
    2. Sakadagamin
    3. Anagamin
    4. Arahant

The 9^th symbol represents the end goal of Nibbana.

The second symbolism references the virtues of the Buddha. “A Sang Wi Su Lo Pu Sa Pu Pa” is derived from Buddhaguna (also known as Botsuad Phra Puttakoon in Thai), a recitation that praises the virtues of the Buddha.

1. A – refers to Arahant, the one who has gained insight into reality and liberates himself from endless rebirth and suffering. An accomplished one, described as having completed his work and being worthy of offerings.
2. Sam – refers to SammaSamputto
   , the perfectly self-enlightened one, who had rediscovered the laws of Dhamma through his own efforts, without a teacher.
3. Vi – refers to Vijja Carana Sampanno
   – One who is perfect in knowledge/wisdom as well as practice/ conduct.
4. Su – refers to Sugato
   , which refers to Buddha as “The well-gone one”, who has gone away from the path of suffering, onto the path of liberation. It also references the Buddha’s ability to be able to speak the right words at the right time, benefitting all who listen.
5. Lo – refers to Lokavidu
   which means “Knower of the world”. This comprises all corporeal senses; seeing, hearing, smells, tastes, touch and perception. The Buddha has fully grasped the fundamental inception and decay of the person, strengthened through each of the sense by the full realization of Paticca-samuppada
   (the Dependent Origination). He is thus able to break free from suffering and guides others on the correct path.
6. Pu – refers to (Anuttaro
   ) Purisa Dhamma-sarathi
   . This praises the Buddha as the “Incomparable leader of men”, who has the wisdom to bring people out of their ignorance, greed and hatred onto the path of virtue and liberation.
7. Sa – refers to Satta Devamanussanang
   , which means the Buddha is qualified to be the teacher of gods and men. Although the Devas
   (gods) have developed much wisdom and virtues, enabling them to enjoy the fruits of being a deva, they are still not liberated from the endless cycle of birth and death. Thus they depend on the Buddha to show them the way.
8. Pu – refers to Putto
   , referring to Buddha as the Awakened One.
9. Bha – refers to Bhagavati
   , The World-honored One who has perfected his barami. One who is endowed with supernormal abilities and intellectual facilities.

• 10 Dots – With 10 dots, the katha is inscribed as “Tay Cha Su Neh Ma Phu Ja Na Wi Way
  ” referring to Air, the Teacher, as well as the 10 Buddhist Precepts

This explanation is by no means comprehensive. The exact Katha used may vary greatly from monk to school. In modern times, DinSorPhong is often replaced with marker pens, but the tradition of using DinSorphong is still favoured by most temples, who value the heritage and potency it offers to the finished product.