A Thai antique Buddha two to three centuries old: a walking Buddha (Phra Leela / พระลีลา) with a yantra back (หลังยันต์), in green clay (เนื้อดินเขียว), from the crypt of Wat Wang Bua, Phetchaburi. The association dates it to the 23rd to 24th century of the Buddhist Era, roughly the late Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin period. On the front the Buddha strides forward inside an arched niche; on the back the raised yantra is still legible, and the clay surface is naturally weathered with a heavy patina. Old crypt amulets from Thai temples only grow scarcer, and walking Buddhas of this age are seldom seen. Certified by the Thai Buddha Image Admiration Association, formal certificate No. C08271 with a QR code. Mounted in a gold-tone case set with clear stones, ready to wear. One piece only; it is held by a partner supplier, so please submit a request and we confirm availability by email within 24 hours.
What is the Wat Wang Bua walking Buddha with yantra back (Phra Leela Lang Yant, Kru Wat Wang Bua)?
Phra Leela (พระลีลา) shows the Buddha walking, traditionally linked to his descent from Tavatimsa heaven after teaching there. In Thailand it stands for moving forward and is often worn by those hoping to advance at work. "หลังยันต์" means the back carries a yantra.
A "kru" (กรุ) is the sealed chamber inside a temple's stupa or hall where amulets were deposited; amulets recovered when a kru is opened are the core of Thai antique-amulet collecting. This piece comes from the kru of Wat Wang Bua (วัดวังบัว), Phetchaburi (เพชรบุรี), and the association dates it to the 23rd to 24th century of the Buddhist Era, roughly the mid-17th to mid-19th century CE.
Key facts
- Type: walking Buddha with yantra back (พระลีลาหลังยันต์ / Phra Leela Lang Yant), an antique crypt amulet
- Material: green clay (เนื้อดินเขียว / Nuea Din Khiao)
- Origin: crypt of Wat Wang Bua (กรุวัดวังบัว), Phetchaburi Province
- Age: about the 23rd to 24th century B.E. (ประมาณพุทธศตวรรษที่ 23-24), roughly the mid-17th to mid-19th century CE
- Master: no named master; recovered from an old temple crypt
- Certification: Thai Buddha Image Admiration Association formal certificate (ประกาศนียบัตรรับรองพระแท้), No. C08271, barcode GJ08-BB7A6, issued 25 August B.E. 2569 (2026), with QR code
- Case: gold-tone case, front set with clear stones
- Stock: one piece only, held by a partner supplier
Phetchaburi and crypt amulets
Phetchaburi, southwest of Bangkok, has been a notable town since the Ayutthaya period and is full of old temples. When Thai temples built stupas and halls, they often sealed large numbers of amulets inside as an act of merit to carry the teaching forward; centuries later, when the crypts were opened, those amulets came to light. Crypt amulets have no named maker, so collectors judge them by origin, age and material, and the association's dating and temple attribution are the key evidence.
Blessings
- Career and fortune: the walking Buddha stands for moving forward
- Protection: safety and warding off misfortune
- Home: peace in the household
- Calm: a Buddha image to steady the mind
Please note: an amulet supports your own efforts and intentions; it does not guarantee any outcome. Keeping the Five Precepts is traditionally encouraged.
Craftsmanship
A tall clay plaque with a pointed top. On the front the Buddha stands mid-stride inside an arched niche, one hand raised before the chest and the other at his side, on a base. The clay is grey-green to dark grey, visibly granular, with white earth deposits. The back carries a raised yantra with a spiral at the centre surrounded by old script. It is mounted in a gold-tone case with a ring of clear stones around the front and a plain gold-tone frame on the back; both faces are visible through clear windows.
FAQ
Q: What is the dating based on?
A: The Thai Buddha Image Admiration Association formal certificate reads "พระลีลาหลังยันต์ เนื้อดินเขียว ประมาณพุทธศตวรรษที่ 23 - 24", origin "กรุวัดวังบัว", province "เพชรบุรี", No. C08271. The age given is the association's estimate.
Q: Why is there no master's name?
A: Crypt amulets are centuries old and most carry no record of who made them. Thai collectors identify them by temple, crypt and age, which is normal for antique pieces.
Q: Is the case solid gold?
A: The case is gold-toned with clear stones on the front. The supplier has not stated a gold content, so please treat it as a gold-tone case.
Q: Who is it suited to?
A: Anyone hoping to move forward at work, those seeking protection, and collectors of Thai antique and crypt amulets.
Q: Why do I request first and pay later?
A: This piece is held by a partner supplier rather than in our Bangkok stock. So that nobody pays for a piece that has already gone, we confirm with the supplier first and reply by email within 24 hours. If it is available, the email includes a payment link valid for 24 hours. Submitting a request costs nothing.
About this piece
- Includes: the amulet in a gold-tone case with clear stones and the Thai Buddha Image Admiration Association formal certificate (No. C08271)
- Price: ฿20,000
- Stock: one piece only
- How to buy: submit a request on this page; pay through the emailed link once availability is confirmed
Last updated: 2026-10-28 | Merit Messenger team (Bangkok-based)
