Ariyaloke the Sixth – Commemorating 104th Memorial of Luang Pho Patthan of Wat Huai Duan
Wat Huai Duan in Nakhon Sawan held a 104th memorial ceremony Tuesday honoring Luang Pho Patthan Punnyakamo, a revered Buddhist scholar and former abbot who passed away in 2566.
On Tuesday, May 12, 2569, a 104th memorial commemoration was held for Phra Rajamongkolvachajarya, known as "Luang Pho Patthan Punnyakamo," the former abbot of Wat Huai Duan, a renowned Buddhist scholar from Nakhon Sawan.
He was a student of several respected monks: Luang Pho Doem of Wat Nong Po, Luang Pho In of Wat Hang Nam Sakorn, Luang Pho Muek of Wat Saratale, and Luang Pho Homod of Wat Kok Duea.
Born on May 12, 2465, as Patthan Kaonchantet in Ban Saratale village, Nakhon Sawan, his parents were Nai Putthorn and Nang Kaew (originally surnamed Fungsook). During his childhood in Ban Saratale, a severe drought struck the region, forcing his family to relocate to Ban Nong Noen and later to Ban Nong Luang in Tha Takob District. It was during this period that Luang Pho Doem was constructing Wat Nong Luang, and his father helped with the construction while young Patthan learned to read and write, memorized Buddhist incantations, studied Thai and Khmer languages, and practiced meditation under Luang Pho In.
At age 13, he returned to complete his fourth-grade education at Wat Saratale in Phayuhakhiri District, staying with Luang Muek, a student of Luang Pho Thet. During his studies at both Wat Nong Luang and Wat Saratale, he studied various Buddhist disciplines under Luang Pho Thet.
Upon reaching military age, he was conscripted into the armed forces. However, just as his service was concluding, World War II broke out in East Asia, extending his military service until age 24 when he was discharged in 2489.
He took monastic vows that same year (2489) at Wat Saratale's ordination hall, with Phra Thammatrailokacharya (Luang Pho Yot) of Wat Khao Kaew as his preceptor, Luang Pho Kan of Wat Khao Kaew as his instructor, and Phra Akhikarsilp of Wat Saratale as his witness.
He dedicated himself to studying Buddhist scriptures and texts, completing his second-level theological education. During this time, Luang Pho Doem was constructing buildings at Wat Intaram, so he also studied Buddhist traditions there. When meeting Luang Pho Doem at Wat Intaram, the senior monk transmitted various Buddhist practices to him, and Patthan spent nearly two rain-retreat periods studying at Wat Khao Kaew under Luang Pho Kan before completing his studies.
Later, his family relocated to Thanthaahan Subdistrict in Nong Bua District, where residents and village elders requested that he become the abbot of Wat Thanthaahan. He took up residence there beginning in 2513.
Wat Thanthaahan (Wat Huai Duan) was originally built in 2482 and named after the local stream called Huai Duan, which formed from a tributary of Huai Nam Saad Nuea and terminated there. The village was later renamed Ban Thanthaahan, a name that continues to this day.
He was considered a leading Buddhist scholar of Thailand, regularly invited to perform Buddhist consecration ceremonies for sacred amulets of various editions.
Luang Pho Patthan passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2566, at Bangkok Hospital at the age of 101 in his 77th monastic year.
