Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Rian Setti (Millionaire / 百万富翁), Nur Kalaithong (gold-plated), Luang Phor Pha, Wat Kok Dok Mai, Chainat (B.E.2558)

No. : 3616

*Setti : a millionaire / the symbol of wealthy and rich.
 
- No.1 Pra Geji Ajarn in Chainat Province. 
- the ONLY disciple in the lineage of LP Kuay, Wat Kositaram. 
- Student of LP Doem, Wat Nong Pho. 
- Upacha of LP Yen, Wat Saparian, Chainat Province (the famous "Po" maker).
- Age 94 years old (2017) and still going strong. 
- One of a most respected and revered Geji in Chainat Province.

LP Pha followed LP Doem, Wat Nong Pho for 16 years and most of the Meed Mor (magical knife) was co-chanted by LP Pha when LP Doem in the old age. LP Pha was introduce to his other master LP Kuay, Wat Kositaram, Chainat Province by LP Doem. LP Pha became the chow- a-wat (head of the temple) of Wat Kok Dok Mai at a very young age. Today LP Pha is as famous as LP Koon in central and northern Thailand. But unfortunately not much Malaysians heard about the name of LP Pha before.

Luang Phor Pha was born on 5th May BE 2466 at Chainat Province. While his mother was three months pregnant with him something unfortunate happened. Which is his father that passed away during that critical period of time. Due to this unfortunate event, his mother wanted to name him as “Kam Pha”. The meaning of Kam refers to the unfortunate orphan in Thai. However, when his mother went to the government office to register the birth of Luang Phor Pha and his name. The official advised his mother to name Luang Phor Pha as Pha and drop the initial front name “Kam” as it was an unlucky name. Luang Phor Pha was in fact the only child in his family.

Luang Phor Pha grew up and spent his childhood just like any other child in the village. During his teenage years, Luang Phor Pha then started to learn Dhamma and Buddha teaching under the guidance of his uncle Luang Phor Toh Wat Wihan Thong. Meanwhile he was also helping out his mother to plough the field with the water buffalo.

In BE 2486, when Luang Phor Pha was at the age of 20 he was ordained as a monk. His preceptor was Phra Kru Pat. Phra Kru Pat was a monk from the southern part of Thailand. 5 years later, by the age of 25 Luang Phor Pha was appointed as the abbot of Wat Kok Dok Mai. Wat Kok Dok Mai is also known as the monastery of flower mounds. It was only until Luang Phor Pha turned 35 years old that he started to build the first school of his which also was a milestone for him. As he was relatively young as an abbot of a temple and was able to build his own school for the villagers. During that period of time, Luang Phor Pha also offered help to other temples for the building of their schools and temples. It took Luang Phor Pha many years to be able to build his first hospital at the age of 83.

During the year of BE 24xx, it happens that Luang Phor Guay Wat Kositaram was also learning from Luang Phor Toh Wat Wihan Thong during the same time as Luang Phor Pha. Luang Phor Pha was a student of Luang Phor Derm. Luang Phor Derm is one of the highly-respected guru monks till today and he was famous for consecrating mitmor. Luang Phor Pha was learning from Luang Phor Derm for many years. There are several mitmor that was consecrated by Luang Phor Pha himself but was co-chanted with his teacher Luang Phor Derm. It so happens that Luang Phor Guay was also a disciple of Luang Phor Derm. So later on, Luang Phor Pha became the disciple of Luang Phor Guay. Luang Phor Pha was well liked by Luang Phor Guay. During that period of time, the holy item that was consecrated by Luang Phor Pha will be blessed and chanted by Luang Phor Guay as well. So the materials used by that batch of amulets were the same material as Luang Phor Guay’s.

An example would be BE 2514 Somdej Lang Khao San Dam. Khao San Dam is considered an holy ingredient to consecrate amulets. And Luang Phor Guay passed down all his Khao San Dam to Luang Phor Pha. Some of the sought-after amulets of Luang Phor Pha are his first batch of Somdej Wekman Lang Roop Mueng Nur Khao San Dum. The ingredients used included Khao San Dam which is ground into powder (which gave the natural color black), bailan, the ashes from burning a book of scriptures and Nur Phong. Other popular amulets include Roop Tai BE251X, BE253X and Roop Lor consecrated in BE 253X, BE 254X and BE 255X. Takrut that were issued in BE 2561 was personally yant by Luang Phor Pha to raise funds for the temple. Now the Takrut is much sought after due to the limited quantity and the ingredients used. Real gold foil sheet is used for the yant and ingredients used include jivorn, hair and nails of Luang Phor Pha, chips of precious stones / gemstones from Luang Phor Guay and Khao San Dam. This takrut was given to donors who donated 10,000 baht (one donor one takrut).

Luang Phor Pha is also one of the most respected monks in Chainat Province. In July BE 2562 , Luang Phor Pha was bestowed the title of Chao Khun by King Rama X.

Luang Phor Pha passed away on 1st December BE 2562 in Wat Khok Dok Mai. It was also his wish to hold a 200 days wake for his devotees to pay their last respect to him before his body was cremated.
Luang Phor Pha, Wat Kok Dok Mai, Chainat.