Luang Phor Nong, Wat Sai Khao

Luang Phor Nong Thammaphutho

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(Phra Kru Thammakitkosol

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)
Wat Sai Khao

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,Pattani

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province

 

 

 

Early History and Life of Luang Phor Nong

Luang Phor Nong of Wat Sai Khao, was formerly known as Nong Northong

. Hewas born on October 15th, 1919 (B.E. 2462), in Barn Na Pradu, Tambon Kluai, Ampur Makrud, ChangwatPattani. This area is known as Ampur Khok Pho in present-day.

 

His father’s name was Ruang Northong

and mother’s name was Thongpeng Northong. Nong Northong (Luang Phor Nong) was the oldest amongst his siblings, with a younger brother and sister in his family.

 

He ordained as a novice monk at the age of 19 years at Wat Na Pradu

, where PhraPhutha Saiyarak was his Preceptor. However, he disrobed and left the monastic life after 1 month to help his parents toil the fields. 2 years later, at age 21, on June 27, 1939 (B.E. 2482), he re-ordained as a monk and this time, Phra Kru Viboon Samanakrij of Wat Tuyong, and an abbot from Nhongjik were his preceptors. Phra AhtiKan Dum of Wat Nang-Oh and PhraKru Patthakorn Kowit of Wat Na Pradu were his Announcing Teachers. Luang Phor Nong’s Buddhist name is “Thammaphutho”, or Buddha Dhamma, something which he personifies through his careful adherence to the Buddha’s teachings (Dhamma) in every aspect of his life.

He lived in Wat Na Pradu temple for 12 years, following which he left for Wat Sai Khao temple and became an abbot atTambom Khok Pho.

The path of his monkhood was as follows:
1945 (B.E. 2488) : He obtained Naktam ChanAke

at Wat Na Pradu.
1965 (B.E. 2508) : He became the vice abbot at Wat Changhai 1968 (B.E. 2511) : He became the abbot at Wat Sai Khao
1971 (B.E. 2514) : He received the royal honorary monk’s title of Phra Kru Sanyabat Chan Tri, with the given name of Phra Kru Thammakitkosol 1981 (B.E. 2524) : He received the royal honorary monk’s certification of Phra Kru Sanyabat Chan Toh 1994 (B.E. 2537) : Received the title of Royal Highness Master Class Phra Kru Sanyabat Chan Ake

 

There are 3 levels to this royal honorary title. During Naktam, one is a graduate of the Dhamma studies. But when one becomes a Phra Kru, he becomes a teacher of the Dhamma studies.

Luang Phor Nong passed away on September 11, 1999 (B.E. 2542), at 03.27 hrs, at the ripe old age of 80, having completed 60 Pansa

, at Khok Pho Hospital. Pattani Province performed the cremation ceremony at Wat Sai Khaoon Monday 20 May 2002. It is customary for Thais to revere an accomplished masters by preserving his body for a number of years following his death.

 

The Monk and His Character

Luang Phor Nong was a monk who preferred a simple life. He rejected any form of luxury, and did not yearn for any titlesor positions in the Buddhist committee. He cared solely for the welfare of Wat Sai Khao temple, its inhabitants and its community. All of the funds drawn from the donations of the laity or the sale of his amulets, were donated to charity. He donated to hospitals, schools, temples and even mosques. He never judged anyone by their religious inclinations. Once he was sick and was admitted into a hospital. Instead of enquiring about his own health, he asked the doctor, “Do you still need anything to help your community?”. It is these acts of selflessness that madeLuang Phor Nong respected and admired by the people of Pattani. He always taught others to donate to the less fortunate, and to always reach out to those facing hardship and troubles. He preached that the more one gives, the more one does to reduce their greed and attachments.

 

His exemplary behaviour is an exact reflection ofhis name “Thammaputho” (the teachings of the Buddha); performing Dana

, observing Sīla, practicing Samādhi and achieving Pannā.

 

Sahathammik

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(Confidant) between Luang Phor Tim and Luang Phor Nong

Luang Phor Nong was a closefriend of Luang Phor Tim of Wat Changhai

. Once, they travelled together to Wat Rakangtemple in Bangkok to purchase Luang Phor Nak’s Phra Somdej amulets for distribution. Luang Phor Nong suddenly changed his mind and told Luang Phor Tim, “I think we should make amulets ourselves. Let’s make them so famous that they become a symbol of the Southern provinces.”

 

When they returned to Pattani, they crafted their first batch of amulets, naming them “Luang Phor Thuad Nur Wan

B.E.2497” (Luang Phor Thuad amulet made of powdered herbs). Already renowned in those days, they haverisen to become one of the preferred styles of amulet from the southern part of Thailand, even in present day.

 

 

 

 

 

Path leading to his fame of Luang Phor Thuad amulets

In 1954, both masters were creating and blessing amulets of renown, such asLuang Phor Thuad Nur Wan. These were popularly referred to asLuang Phor Thuad Wat Chang Hai. This style of amulet is much cherished by people inThailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Luang Phor Nong learnt the secret of effective Wicha Pluksek

(blessing ceremonies) of Luang Phor Thuad from Luang Phor Tim. Luang Phor Nong however, did not begin creating his own amulets until after the demise ofLuang Phor Tim, on 30th November 1969 (B.E. 2512).

 

Luang Phor Nong was initially reluctant to continue creating amulets in the style of Luang Phor Thuad. By providence, one day while entering a state of intense focus during meditation, Luang Phor Tim saw a prophetic vision, which he attributed to Luang Phor Nong. In his vision, he saw that Luang Nong was successful in creating powerful and sacred batches of Luang Phor Tuad amulets, and insisted that he should start consecrating them immediately. Up to this point, although Luang Phor Nong had inherited all the Wicha Plusek from Luang Phor Tim, he had never consecrated his own batch,only assisting Luang Phor Tim during all prior consecration ceremonies.

 

 

 

 

Embracing his path as a powerful Geji Ajarn

A short while before Luang Phor Tim’s passing, he had a premonition about his own impending death. He paid his final visit to his Kalyanamitta of many years, Luang Phor Nong. He beseeched Luang Phor Nong to take good care of Wat Changhai after his passing. He then dedicated his merits, saying, “May all the merits I have accumulated from my lifetime, be dedicated to you, my friend, and may we remain Dhamma friends in our next life.”

Using the skills he learnt from Luang Phor Tim of Wat Chang Hai, Luang Phor Nong created the Luang Phor Thuad amulets, issuing them through Wat Sai Khao.The first version (Roon Raek

) wasconsecrated in 1971, and is imbued with many phim, such as Phim Yamaka Patiharn, and Luang Phor Thuad Nur Wan,popularly known as Luang Phor Thuad Nur Wan Fung Takrud. These phim were applied manuallywith a printing press that could accommodate both large and small variants of thephim. A takrut is embedded into the base of each amulet. As time went on, Luang Phor Nong, went on to craft many iterations of the Luang Phor Thuad amulets.

 

 

 

 

After Luang Phor Tim’s passing, Luang Phor Nong created many batches of amulets, amongst these, the famed Takrut Narai Pleang Roop

(The Transformation of Narai)and metallic Luang Phor Thuad amulets.

 

The memorial book of the royal cremation ceremony of Luang Por Nong Wat Sai Khao on 20 May 2002, details the creation and consecration of Takrud Narai Pleang Roob. It contains an account of the seemingly miraculous manner in which Luang Phor obtained the requisite katha

from a Nang Mai (tree-dwelling spirit) named Mae Nang Chan, who shared the knowledge as a means of making amulets that would generate positive karma and merits, which she would then garner by association.

 

The resulting amulets were christenedTakrud Narai Pleang Roob, and their fame has only grown in the years to follow. They are known to protect their owners from danger, as well as possessing the distinct advantage of imbuing them with Metta Mahaniyom

, making them loved by everyone around them.

 

There are several forms of TakrutNarai Pleang Roop, which may be divided into the following categories:

1. TakrudPlok Look Puen
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   (Takrudfashioned from spent rounds of .22 mm, .38mm, and 11mm ammunition). It was estimated that Luang Phor Nong began to consecrate these in 1953 (B.E. 2496). They began appearing in the amulet boxesfrom Wat Sai Khao in 1971 (B.E. 2514). These are considered first batch (Roon Raek).
2. Takrud Ngern
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   (takruts made from silver); these began to be consecrated in 1992 (B.E. 2535), and looked vastly different from the 1971 version.
3. Takrud Nur Thong Kham
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   (takrut made from gold). These were made for a period of 4-5 years from 1994, until he passedon. There are 2 sizes, big and small. From 1998-1999, the takrut were inscribed withthe code“นรัศมี”, “นะ” and “อุ”. These were made by a gold shop.
4. Some batches were made of completely different materials, such as cannonball shells.Luang Phor created these on a case by case basis, but the consecration and imbued powers are considered to be the same as the other variants.

 

Conclusion

Many monks have consecrated amulets, but very few have become as famous as the legendary Luang Phor Tim and Luang Phor Nong. Prices of these amulets have soared over the years since their creation, and it is believed that they will only become more rare and pricey over the next coming years.

Owners of these Luang Phor Thuad amulets have witnessed many miracles, and are often unwilling to let go of their own pieces, choosing instead to pass them down to future generations as cherished heirlooms.

Are these prices the result of manipulation, faith, or the actual miraculous powers of the amulets themselves? Perhaps only the people who have owned one, will ever truly know the answer.