Phra Phairi Phinat

Phra Phairi Phinat is a highly revered Buddha image enshrined in a Chinese-style pavilion (sum keng) on the northern side of the great chedi at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara — an image for which King Rama IV held profound personal devotion.

According to its history, around 1848 (B.E. 2391) — still within the reign of King Rama III — the image was presented as an offering to the future King Mongkut (Rama IV), who at that time was living as an ordained monk at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.

It is recorded that the image manifested its miraculous power: those who harboured ill will and plotted against him met with misfortune and were defeated by their own designs. For this reason the King bestowed upon this important Buddha image the name "Phra Phairi Phinat" — meaning "the destruction of enemies."

According to beliefs passed down among devotees, the sacred power of Phra Phairi Phinat is held to lie in protection — guarding against those who wish harm, against adversaries, and against ill-wishers of the people or the household concerned.

For this reason, many devotees choose to enshrine the image in their homes, regarding it as a safeguard against malicious forces both seen and unseen. Within these communities of faith it is also held that every home and every organisation should keep a Phra Phairi Phinat for veneration, so that those who intend harm towards family members or colleagues may ultimately be defeated.

This reflects a traditional cultural belief handed down over generations, offered here for cultural understanding.