Luang Pu Thuad

Venerable Luang Pu Thuad, The Story of His Life by
By Khun Songvit Kaeosri,
Chief of International Serials Data System Regional Centre for Southeast Asia, National Library, Bangkok, Thailand

The following story of Luang Pu Thuad is based on the historical document called ” Phra Tamra Borom Rajudis phue Kalpana” (Royal Decree to Dedicate all Benefits from Lands and People to the Specific Temples). It was a royal command of King Ekadasaroth of Ayudhya in 2153 B.E. ( 1610 A.D.) This document was discovered by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the Father of History of Thailand, then the Minister of Interior Affairs, in 2456 B.E. (1913 A.D.)  from Wat Khian in Amphoe Sathing Phra, Songkhla. The document described the temples under royal patronage for restoration and dedication of lands and population nearby for the sake of the temples. It is fortunate that in this document, the life and roles of Luang Pu Thuad had been given from the beginning of his childhood upto the time he was bestowed the title of the rank “Somdej Phra Rajamuni Samiramagunupamacarya”  in favour of
ng Ekadasaroth.

Luang Pu Thuad was born in 1582CE. in Suan Chan Village, Chumphol Dustrict, Sathing Phra in Songkla (Southern Thailand). His parents were Khun Hu and Mae Chan, a poor couple living in the place own by Shrentthi Pan, the wealthy landlord. His parents name their child “Pu” (meaning crab).

One day his parents took Pu (still a new born baby) to the rice field and before going to the field they made a cradle by hanging a piece of cloth between two trees for the child to sleep in. After working for some time in the field, Chan turned around to check out her baby and to her surprise she saw a large snake curled around the child’s cradle. Chan cried loudly in fright and those in the distance as well as Hu quickly rushed to check what was happening. They found out that a snake had curled around their baby and this was observed by others, too. To their surprise, the snake did not harm their child. Adhering to a traditional belief that this snake might be the Buddha’s created vision, they prayed to the snake and offered flowers and rice cake to it. The snake then uncurled itself, spat out a translucent crystal gem and left the child. It was an astonishing sight as the baby was still asleep with the crystal gem that was emitting rainbow colors beside his neck. The crystal gem was properly kept and given back to Pu when he was grown up. Even today, the crystal ball is still installed at Wat Phra Kho in Songkla with many stories of its miracles pertaining to it.

When Pu was seven years old, he was sent to stay with Luang Phor Chuang, his Bikkhu uncle, at Wat Kudi Luang and further his primary school studies there. Then at 15, he was ordained as a novice monk and lived with Phra Khru Saddhammarangsi at Wat Sri Ku-Yang (at present in Ranod, Songkla). At the age of 20, he was ordained as a monk by the same bhiku who acted as his preceptor. The Buddhist name (Chaya) “Samiramo” was given to the new monk.

He spent three years of his monkshood under the guidance of Phra Khru Ka Derm. He studied the Dhamma and Pali Language and completed the basic introductory level. Later, he wanted to further his studies in the Buddhist scriptures in Ayutthaya. After obtaining permission to leave from his preceptor, he was accompanied by Khun Inn, a passenger ship owner, and they left for Ayutthaya. After three days of sailing in the open sea, suddenly a storm broke out and the rough sea started to rock the boat. The boat had to be anchored until the sea became calm again before proceeding with their journey. During these hard times, they had consumed all the fresh water as well as food. Out of anger and frustration, the other passengers on board including the owner vented their anger by blaming and cursing Bikkhu Pu and exclaimed that he had brought bad luck to them and wanted to expel him from the ship. Then Bikkhu Pu rose and the others looked on; he dipped his foot into the sea and drew a circle. Then he told the sailors to draw fresh drinking water from the area in the sea where he had circled with his feet. The sailor then did as he was told and tasted the water himself; his doubts were banished when he found that the seas water was drinkable, just like normal fresh water. After sufficient fresh water was collected and stored for the rest of the journey, they proceeded with their interrupted journey. After realizing the ability of Bikkhu Pu, all the passengers and the boatman on the boat kneeled down to beg for forgiveness from him and the owner invited him to use the boat again on his next trip. When they arrived at Ayutthaya, Khun In took Bikkhu Pu to reside in Wat Khae and assigned his servant, Nai Chan, to follow Bikkhu Pu and be  his close assistant. After finishing his business Khun In left Ayudha and sailed back to where he came from.

While Bikkhu Pu was studying Buddhist scriptures at Wat Lumbalinavas in Ayudha, the King of Sri Lanka challenged the King of Siam to translate all of the golden alphabets into the Buddhist Scriptures in the correct order within seven days. If the challenge can be fulfilled and the task can be completed in time, the King of Sri Lanka would then give all the treasures transported in seven boats to the King of Siam as a prize. However, if the task could not be accomplished, the King of Siam will have to pay a tribute to the king of Sri Lanka.

The King then summoned all the learned monks and lay people in the capital city of Ayutthaya to complete this task; however, no one could accomplish the task. Six days had passed and the king was deeply anxious. At last it was known that there was a young Bhikkhu named Pu or Samiramo who possess great abilities and he was summoned to translate all of the golden alphabets into the Buddhist Scriptures in the correct order. The young monk went to the assembly, paying his respect to the Maha Sangha and King, he then met seven Brahmins from Sri Lanka.

Bikkhu Pu started to rearrange the golden seeds into the Dhamma according to the Buddhist texts without any difficulties. The 84,000 units of the golden seeds were all used up but seven seeds were missing. They were Sarn (Dhamma-sangani), Vi (Vibhanga), Dha (Dhatukotha), Pu (PUggala-pannatti), Ka (Kathavatthu), Ya (Yamaka) and Pa (Patthana) which are the heart of the seven scriptures of the Abhidhamma Pitako. The young monk turned to the seven Brahmins and asked them whether they had kept the missing golden seeds. When they were given to him, the complete rearrangement of the golden seeds into the Buddhist scriptures of the Abhidhamma was completed on the 7th day. The Brahmins, as the Ambassadors of the King of Sri Lanka, gave all the treasures from the 7 boats to the young monk but he declined the offer and gave all the treasures to the King.

Bhiku Pu became the favourite monk of King Ekadasaroth of Ayudhya because of his knowledge and wisdom. Bhikkhu Pu was bestowed the Sangha title of “Somdej Phra Rajamuni Samiramagunupamacarya,” the highest rank ever given to any wandering monk in the country.

Somdej Phra Rajamuni Samiramagunupamacarya or Luang Pu Thuad stayed in Ayutthaya to advise the King in many matters till his old age and then he asked for permission from the King to go back to his home town. The King permitted him to do so and promised to support Luang Pu Thuad’s work that was related to his virtuous deeds. When Luang Pu Thuad went back to Wat Phra Khoh, he found that the wat was in ruins and thus he sent a message to the King requesting for support to restore the temple.

King Ekadasaroth was pleased to respond to Luang Pu Thuad’s needs. He gave all the support that the monastery needed and graciously issued the Royal Degree on Dedication of Land and People to about 250 families near Wat Phra Khoh that is  beneficial to the temple. The Royal Decree later became a possession of Wat Khian and was given to Prince Damrong Rajanubhab in 1913. At present the document is kept in the National Library in Bangkok.

Luang Pu Thuad had spent his life spreading the Dhamma to benefit the people without any discrimination. Eventually, he left Wat Phra Khoh along with a young novice to preach Dhamma and helped people at various places in the South up to Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. His second permanent residence was at Wat Changhai, Pattani. It was not certain where and when he passed away.

Through his supernatural power and miraculous virtuous acts, Luang Pu Thuad manifested himself in visions and dreams seeking to produce the first amulet of him initiated at Wat Changhai in 1954. Amulets of Luang Pu Thuad have shown many miracles to individuals carrying them. Since then, many batches of his amulet pendants have been produced. The popular ones have been documented in the book entitled “Luang Pu Thuad: The Story of His Life and Amulets”.

There is another story related to to how Luang Pu Thuad became famous during the 16th century; it tells about how he had saved the people suffering from a draught. There was a  time when there was not enough drinking water and the weather deteriorated day after day. According to an account related by villagers, a monk was sighted in a small boat which was moving along the river. He was in deep meditation and prayer. After he had finished chanting, he lowered one of his legs into the river and after a short while, the river was filled with clear and clean drinking water. A miracle had happened. This piece of good news spread throughout the province and to other parts of Thailand. The monk was none other than Luong Pu Thuad himself. The people highly respected him and graciously revered him from then on.

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Edited by: Hoh Foo Kong