Monday 24 March 2008

Luang Phor Tae


Holy Venerable Long Phor Tae KongThong, Wat Sahm Ngahm, Nakhon Pathom passed away on the 25th December BE 2524 at his temple, aged 90.

Long Phor Tae was born on 15 September B.E.2434 in Tambon Sahm Ngahm, Amphur Gamphengsean (now called Dong Thom), Jangwat Nakhon Pathom. He was born the 5th child in a family of 7 children. Both LP Tae's parents, Nai Jan Sam Nagm Noi and Nang Boo Sam Nagm Noi were farmers.From the age of seven years he was raised by his Uncle Daeng, who was a monk at Wat Gahlong in Samutsakorn province, where LP Tae first started to study knowledge of Dhamma.At the age of 10 he returned with Long Phor Daeng to their home village, to construct a new temple 20KM south at Tambon Don Pusah.

After three years, in B.E. 2447, the newly built temple was moved from Tambon Don Pusah to Tambon Sam Nagm, and the temple was known as Wat Sam Nagm.Thereafter LP Tae continued to reside at the new temple studying Dharma and magic under his uncle until the age of 20 when he was finally ordained as a monk.

Long Phor Tae eventually was to became the close disciple of Long Phor Tah, the preceptor of Wat Panaengtak. Long Phor Tah taught Long Phor Tae everything he knew about Dhamma and Sammahdti. Long Phor Tae would accompany his Master whenever he went Tudung, until such time that Long Phor Tae had gained sufficient experience to go alone.Long Phor Tae eventually was to became the close disciple of Long Phor Tah, the preceptor of Wat Panaengtak. Long Phor Tah taught Long Phor Tae everything he knew about Dhamma and Sammahdti. Long Phor Tae would accompany his Master whenever he went Tudung, until such time that Long Phor Tae had gained sufficient experience to go alone.


After LP Tah passed away in B.E.2465, LP Tae left for Wat Takong in Nakhon Pathom. Long Phor Chaem was the abbot of Wat Takong and was extremely well known for his strict practice in Dhamma and high attainment in Saiyasaat (magical arts). LP Cham unselfishly imparted everything that he knew on the subjects of Dhamma, meditation, tudong and saiyasaat to LP Tae. Once Long Phor Chaem told Long Phor Tae that: "If you want to become Jow Koon (monk with a high title), take a train to Krungthep (Bangkok). If you want to become a real monk, you must enter the forest." Long Phor Tae choose the latter, and went into the forest and became a Tudung monk.

It is said that Long Phor Tae was a monk who possessed a lot of metta(loving-kindness) and bahramee (power). Whenever Long Por Tae went for Tudung, many villagers would give money and personal possessions but he never accepted the gifts, only morning alms. LP Tae was well known for making 'Guman Thong'. The first temples in Thailand to make 'Guman Thong' were Wat Sahm Ngahm and Wat Takong in Nakhon Pathom.

It was believed that LP Tae had the supernormal power to see wondering souls of the dead that roamed the surroundings and especially souls of those young children. In order to give an opportunity for those souls to make merit before rebirth, LP Tae decided to cast the souls into a child-like statue and give it people who needed help. LP Tae had learned such art from LP Chaem of Wat Takong and also an unnamed monk from Cambodia.

In the year BE 2475, at the age of 40, he became the Abbot of Wat Sam Nagm.
One day, a robber wanted to rob Long Phor Tae of the money, but Luang Por Tae did not stop him, however Long Phor Tae told the robber that the money was not his, but belonged to the villagers who wished to make merits. If he took the money, the villagers would be disappointed because the money was meant for merit making. After the robber had listened to Long Phor Tae's, the robber felt very ashamed and ran off.

According to a story told by the villagers of Nakhon Pathom, in year B.E.2483, there lived an unlucky food peddler in the town centre of Nak Kan Bahn. He was a great chef but no matter how hard he worked, he didn't manage to succeed in his business. One morning while travelling to the town to set up his stall, he met a preaching monk along the way. Immediately, he put down his stuff and scooped a big bowl of food and presented it to the monk.

After finishing the food, the monk walked along with the peddler and spoke with him. He then knew the hardship and unluckiness of the peddler. As they parted, the monk took out a clay doll-like statue from his bag and gave it to the peddler, telling him to treat it well everyday so that his luck will change. Soon after that, the peddler's business got better and better. He then came to know that the monk who gave him the statue was LP Tae, abbot of Wat Sahm Ngahm and the statue was called 'Guman Thong'.

Wat Sahm Ngahm produced numerous pendants of Luang Phor Tae that has brought extreme good luck and great fortune to many people since. Many occasions were recorded that people wearing Long Phor Tae's amulets were unharmed from accidents and there were also stories told by many villagers ( some still living today) and people from all over Thailand that they were saved from both evil spirits and ghosts after wearing LP Tea's amulets. It is also believe that it will bring great Metta to one by wearing amulets of LP Tae.

Besides being a disciple of Long Phor Tah and Long Phor Chaem, Long Phor Tae had also learnt Wichah from a Cambodian Ajahn in Kanchanaburi province. It was said that it was from him that he learnt the arcane secrets of making the famous Guman Thong.

Fortunately most of the knowledge was passed down to his own disciple Ajahn Yem who has continued the tradition.