Phar Somdat
LuangPu Thong
Wat Rayotha (Bangkok)
B.E. 243+
LuangPhor Thong was the first abbot of Wat Rayotha, Bangkok, and although he governed the temple for almost one hundred years he is today relatively unknown.
In fact he is probably one the greatest monks that very few people have heard of. Not surprising as he chose to live a simple existance strictly following Lord Buddha’s Dharma and practicing meditation at his temple.
However during the time of King Rama 4 he was one of the most respected monks of his era . He is the disciple of Phra Acharn Seng of Wat Manichonkarn (Lopburi), Phra Acharn Seng was also the teacher of Somdet Phra Buddhachan Toh of Wat Rakang.
His background is not that well known. His place and year of birth for example have never been recorded. Fortunately it is well documented that he was ordained a monk at Wat Ngernbangprom, Talingchan District, Bangkok, by Jao kun Vinaikijjarithera, former abbot of Wat Ngernbangprom, who acted as Pra Upacha.
It is also known that he remained at the temple for several years studying sacred sciernces under the guidance of Jaokun Vinaikijjarithera.
LuangPhor Thong studied diligently and as a result he was invited to take up the position of Abbot of Wat Rayotha by the founder of the temple.
He passed away aged 117 years and even to this day is one of the longest living monks in Thai history. He is known to have studied meditation and sacred sciences from the same teacher as Pra Somdej Buddhachan Toh. When he created his own amulets at a later date they were truly unique, he did not copy those of Somdej Toh or even use them as prototypes for his own design.
Also a fact liitle known, even amongst experts, is that LuangPhor Thong has been master or taught sacred sciences to many of the most famous monks that have ever lived, these include amongst many others:
1) LuangPu Ler Wat Saochango Chachingsao
2) LuangPhor Jong Wat Natangnok Ayuthaya
3) LuangPhor Kong Wat Bangkrapong
4) LuangPhor Chat Wat Bangkrabao
5) LuangPhor Sod Wat Paknam Paicharoen
6) LuangPhor Klai Wat Suan Kan Nakonsrithamarak
7) LuangPhor Thongyu Wat Mainongpraong Samutt Sakorn
8) LuangPhor Yee Wat Sattaheep (Disciple of LuangPu Ler)
9) Luang Phor Poch Wat Rayotha (2nd abbot)
10) Phraku Kitti Witmon Wat Rayotha
(3rd abbot and nephew of LuangPu Thong)
11) LuangPhor Parn Wat Bangnomko Ayuthaya (Learnt knowledge of Kom)
12) LuangPu Preak Wat King Keow (Close disciple)
13) LuangPu Rod Prachinburi
14) LuangPu Patch Wat Samplum
Nowadays amulets blessed by LuangPhor Thong are highly desirable not only because of their heritage, beauty and unique designs, but also because LuangPhor Thong is still highly respected by many people.
Decades ago the temple was surrounded by many migrants from India most of whom were non Buddhist. They often entered the temple grounds to steal fish from the pond.
LuangPhor Thong is known to have summoned spirits to protect the habitat, and thereafter thieves would only trawl bones of the deceased. This was sufficient to frighten would be thieves away. It iis also said thet many of the fish transformed into leaves, gaining considerable respect for the monk.
Many suffering from a deadly outbreak of Cholera visited Wat Lard Buakhao (Wat Rayotha) to ask for help from the sacred monk. It was recorded that his sacred water saved countless lives from the deadly disease.
No comments:
Post a Comment