Luang Pu Thong-bua Thantigaaro, Wat Rong Dhaam Sammakee, Chiang Mai
Luang Pu Thong-bua, Wat RongThamSamakee, SanKampeng, Chiang Mai
Early days
LP Thong-bua Thantigaaro, born Thong-bua Phutta-Si, 11 February BE2464, which also was Makha Bucha Day (day when 1250 disciples of Buddha met together and gained enlightenment after hearing a sermon by Buddha himself). Father’s name was Pramote, Mother’s was Sida, LP Was the 9th child amongst 12 children. LP Thong-bua’s family used to live in Lopburi Province, but later moved to stay at Khon Kaen province.
When Luang Pu Thong-bua was 8 years old, due to his interest in Buddhism, he decided to enter the monastery and ordained as a “Pha Khao” or White robes, observing the 8 precepts strictly. When LP Thong-bua was at the age of 16, he had already studied and memorised many scriptures. At the age of 18, LP Thong-bua took ordination as a novice (Samanen) at Wat Suwana-KongKa, and after ordination, when on Tudong with a senior monk from the temple.
Ordination and meeting Luang Pu Mun
Later in BE2458, LP Thong-bua took higher ordination at Wat Maha-Chai, Nong Bua Lam Phu Province. Phra Kru PisanKananuGit was his ordination master. LP Thong-bua was then given the name of “Thantigaaro” meaning “One who follows the instruction of Kruba Ajahn and practice strictly accordingly”.
After his ordination, LP Thong-bua then went to stay at Wat Pa Baan Nong Weng located in Udon Thani Province, a temple close to where Luang Pu Mun was practicing at. From BE2485 onwards, LP Thong-bua also had the chance of practicing under the tutelage of Luang Pu Mun and Luang Pu Joom Pantulo, a highly respected disciple of LP Mun and also one of the monks that Luang Pu Mun would regularly send students to study with. Luang Pu Thong-bua stayed at Udon Thani until the passing of LP Mun in 2492, after the passing and cremation ceremony of LP Mun, LP ThongBua then joined up with 108 other monks from the forest tradition and went up to Northern Thailand. LP Thong-bua then stayed at Wat Phra Taen Sila Art.
During this period, LP Thong-bua had to chance to study with many foremost teachers from the forest tradition. LP Thong-bua spent many years on Tudong trips with Chao Khun Thamma-Chedi Joom Pantulo, Phra Ajahn Gong-ma, then later joined LP Jan Kemapatto on his tudong trips. In year 2492, after the passing of LP Mun, LP Thong-bua’s moved and stayed in the north. There, he continued his practice under the tutelage of LP Tuer Ajaladhammo, LP Waen Succino and LP Sim Puttajaro.
Coming to Chiang Mai
The villagers from Sankampeng, Chiang Mai had built a Samnak (Samnak Rong Dhaam Samakee) for the sake of practicing meditation, they invited LP Mun to teach and guide them on their meditation practice. After the passing of LP Mun, villagers invited many famous disciples of LP Mun to continue teaching them, some of the teachers that stayed there and taught were LP Tuer Ajaladhammo, LP Sim Puttajaaro etc. After these teachers left, villagers then invited LP Thong-bua to come and continue to teach them meditation practice. Villagers then gathered together funds and bought land to expand the current temple, and slowly built it up.
In year BE2506, Samnak Rong Dhaam Sammakee was officially recognized as a temple by the government and was given the name “Wat Rong Dhaam Samakee” At this time, the temple also received much support from the Shinawatra family, which is the family of the previous Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin’s father respected LP Thong-bua very much and helped with many of the building projects in the temple. When it was time for young Thaksin to ordain as per the tradition in Thailand, LP Thong-bua was the officiator for Thaksin and from then on became the teachers of Thaksin Family. Even after Thaksin returned to lay life, LP Thong-bua would invited to the merit making ceremony every year on the birthday of the former Prime Minister.
Developing Wat Rong Dhaam Sammakee
After LP Thong-bua came to stay at Wat Rong Tham Samakee, the temple was slowly molded into the temple we see today, complete with a Chedi specially designed by LP Thong-bua. LP Thong-bua named the chedi “Phra Chedi Photi-Pakiyadhaam (Bodhipakkhiya Dhamma)” meaning the 37 qualities of awakening. At the top of the Chedi, LP Thong-bua invited the relics of Buddha to be placed there.
Other than teaching meditation to disciples, LP Thong-bua was also a recognised senior monk in the Dhammayut sect. BE2547, LP Thong-bua was appointed the position of Chao Kana-JangWad (senior monk in-charge) of northern regions including Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son. Similar to Chao-awat (Abbot), but on a higher level, being in charge of the Dhammayut temples in the northern region. However as age caught up with LP Thong-bua, he had to resigned from the position and took on the role of an advisor to Sangha.
In BE2554, 17 May BE2554, Vesak Day, LP Thong-bua passed away peacefully in sleep due to old age. LP was 90 years old at that time and was ordained for 69 years.
Miracle of LP Thong-bua
Undecayed Body
After ablution of the body on 18th May, the body of LP Thong-bua was then interred in a wooden casket and placed in the main hall for everyone of pay their respects. 11 days later, on 29th May, a ceremony was held to change the robes for LP.
When the wooden casket was opened, disciples were shocked to find the body of LP Thong-bua had not shown signs of decay, there wasn’t any foul smell in the coffin and a reporter from Thairath news described LP was just like a monk that was sleeping soundly. Monk disciples who were in charge of changing the robes for LP said that the hairs both on the body as well as the head of LP was growing just like when LP was still alive.
Many disciples were present at the robes changing ceremony and saw with their own eyes the miracle of LP Thong-bua. Later at the request of disciples, LP Thong-bua’s body was then kept in a glass coffin for disciples to witness until the time for the royal cremation ceremony.
Lucky number of LP Thong-bua
Being a country full of superstitions and believing in signs, lay disciples of LP Thong-bua took it as a lucky sign that the body of LP Thong-bua did not decay as per normal. Many disciples then bought lottery with the number “90” as it was the age when LP ThongBua passed away, another number that was considered lucky was the address of the temple which was “56”.
It was later reported by Thairath newspaper that the number “90” came out twice during the lottery. Many people from around the temple in SanKampeng had bought the number 90 and after the draw, many of them became rich over night. Those that won that day attested this as miracle by LP Thong-bua.
Amulets of LP ThongBua
Rian Roon Raek, BE2516, Roon Saap-SitiChok
Made by the head of the committee for Chiang Mai Province, Major-General Enok SuebWongPet. One of the most famous amulets from Chiang Mai province due to it’s many miracles.
Many people believe this batch of amulet had saved them from certain death when met with car accidents. Also this batch was famous for being helpful with brining wealth, with many wearers rising up in status after wearing this batch. Another name for this batch of amulet is “Rian Ngern Lan”.
Considered LP Thong-bua’s Yod-niyom amulet and Yod-niyom in northern regions especially Chiang Mai.
From of the amulet bears the image of LP Thong-bua when he was 54 years old. On the reverse side bears the Yant of LP Thong-bua and Yant YungThong used by LP Mun and many masters from the Forest Tradition.
*Yant YungThong – “Na Mo Wi Mu Ta Nang, Na Mo Wi Mu Ti Ya”
Total amount made for this batch was
Thong Kam – 9 pieces
Ngern – 299 pieces
Thong Daeng Rom Dam - 9,999 pieces
Thong Daeng GelaiThong – 1,999 pieces
Nawa – 699 pieces
Phra Kring “Roon Thantigaaro 88” BE2553
Made by disciples of Wat Rong Tham Sammakee under the supervision of LP Thong Bua. Purpose was to help raise funds for the completion of Wihan Yai in temple, which had been under construction for many years and not completed yet.
Disciples gathered many old materials and held a ceremony for the pour-moulding of the amulets. Pour-moulding ceremony was officiated by LP Thong Bua and Bramhic priest was invited to the ceremony. Bramhic priest was a disciple under Archan Chum Chaikiri and were well-versed in conducting ceremony for pour-moulding.
This batch of amulets was made in accordance with method passed down from Wat Suthat.
During pour-moulding, LP Thong Bua also added in his written yant sheets and personally placed the raw materials into the oven. While placing the materials into the oven, a small explosion happened in front of LP Thong Bua, but LP was not shocked and wasn’t harmed by the fire.
Total amount made for this batch was;
Thong Kham – Made to order
Ngern – 88 pieces, stuffed with Gold Kring ball inside
Nawa – 888 pieces, stuffed with Silver Kring ball inside
Kocha-Singh (Mythical animal similar to Singh), BE2549, Roon Raek
Made in celebration of 84th birthday of LP Thong-bua. This batch of amulets were blessed by LP in a ceremony held on 11th November 2549. After the ceremony, some of the lay people tested the power of the amulet by attempting to shoot it.
One of the disciples took out a revolver and tried shooting at the amulet, the first shot did not went off. On second try, revolver trigger broke and the bullet housing was stuck. News of this testing spread around the area of SanKampeng and people flocked to the temple in order to get their hands on the amulets.
LP Thong Bua was asked about this and he said he wasn’t aware of it and told disciples not to test it again and just to keep it on them to get the blessings.