Luang Pu Khong Dhammachoto
Luang Pho Khong Thammachoto | |
|---|---|
 Luang Pho Khong Thammachoto | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Khong Chanprasert 3 April 1864 Bang Samrong, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province, Siam |
| Died | 6 February 1943 (aged 78) |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Other names | Luang Pho Khong, Phra Upachaya Khong |
| Occupation | Buddhist monk |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Temple | Wat Bang Kapom |
| School | Theravāda |
| Lineage | Mahānikāya |
| Dharma names | Thammachoto (ธมฺมโชโต) |
| Ordination | August 1884 (BE 2427), Wat Mueang Mai |
| Senior posting | |
| Based in | Amphawa, Samut Songkhram |
Phra Upachaya Khong Thammachoto (พระอุปัชฌาย์คง ธมฺมโชโต; April 3, 1864 – February 6, 1943), commonly known as Luang Pho Khong, was the former abbot of Wat Bang Kapom, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province. He was a highly respected Buddhist monk and teacher in late 19th–early 20th century Siam. His amulets and sacred objects are among the most sought after, particularly his copper coin which is ranked fourth in the Benjapakee (top five most revered monk coins). Another rare and famous creation is the 1943 Pad Tal coin (silver with enamel), said to grant miraculous protection.[1]
Biography
[edit]Luang Pho Khong was born on April 3, 1864, in Bang Samrong, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province. His father’s name was Ket and his mother’s name was Thongyu; his original surname was Chanprasert. Tradition relates that he was born in a floating house believed to be auspicious: any male child born there would remain a monk for life. Luang Pho Thim of Wat Mueang Mai was also born in this same house.
At age 12, Khong was ordained as a novice to study Thai and Khmer scripts. At age 19, he disrobed to help his parents with their livelihood. When he turned 20, he was ordained as a monk at Wat Mueang Mai on a Friday, the 6th day of the waxing moon in August 1884 (BE 2427). His preceptor was Phra Ajahn Duang, the acting abbot was Phra Athikan Jui, and Phra Athikan Thim of Wat Mueang Mai served as his teacher. He received the dharma name Thammachoto, meaning “Radiant in the Dhamma.”[2]
Pilgrimage and Study
[edit]After ordination, Luang Pho Khong studied the Mulakaccayana, a classical Pali grammar text, under Phra Ajahn Nok for 13 years, until he could fluently translate texts such as the Dhammapada. He also studied sacred sciences (vidyā) under various masters, including Phra Ajahn Duang, Luang Pho Tad of Wat Bang Wan Thong, and Luang Pho Run of Wat Chang Phueak, a meditation master renowned for his advanced practice.
By his 19th rains-retreat, illness led him to pause travels and instead focus on teaching meditation to his disciples. He also oversaw construction and repairs at Wat Bang Kapom, demonstrating great skill in craftsmanship.
By his 21st rains-retreat, villagers invited him to act as abbot of Wat Bang Kapom, which was in disrepair and without leadership. He accepted and later became the official abbot.[3]
Later life
[edit]Luang Pho Khong suffered from chronic illness due to his heavy responsibilities as abbot and teacher. Each year, he would retreat for a month to meditate in the cemetery beside his monastery, a practice called rukkhamula. On February 6, 1943, while working on decorating a Buddha image at Wat Bang Kapom, he collapsed. Sitting in meditation posture, he died peacefully at the age of 78, after 58 rains-retreats.[4]
Amulets
[edit]From 1917 (BE 2460) onward, Luang Pho Khong created many amulets and sacred objects, including cast coins, clay and powder Buddha images, luk om (sacred balls), yantra shirts, and takrut scrolls. These were derived from his training with earlier masters of the Mae Klong River region.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ ทศพล จังพานิชยกุล, รวมสุดยอดพระคณาจารย์ทั้งหมด 180 พระองค์
- ^ Siam Amulet
- ^ "หนังสือนิตยสารท่าพระจันทร์". Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
- ^ "ประวัติหลวงพ่อคง ธมฺมโชโต". Archived from the original on 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
- ^ Amulets of Luang Pho Khong, Wat Bang Kapom