Commemorative Medal Honors Luang Pu Ka's 97th Birthday

Luang Pu Ka Kandhayo, former abbot of Wat Bodhi Chai in Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom province, was a senior monk who ordained over 90 years ago. A student in the lineage of the revered Luang Pu Sri Tat Yanasampanno, the builder of Phra That Tha Uthen, he also served as preceptor to two renowned monks: Luang Pu Teuo Achaldhamma of Wat Pa Aranyawiwek in Nakhon Phanom and Luang Pu Thong Ratana Kanthasilo of Wat Pa Ban Kum in Ubon Ratchathani.

Born into the Suvannamajo family on October 7, 1881, in Tha Uthen, he received early religious education in the village temple. At age 21 in 1902, he took monastic vows at Wat Bodhi Chai's ordination hall, with Phra Khru Thon of Wat Phon Kaew as his preceptor, Phra Khen Uttamo as his disciplinary instructor, and Phra Nu Viriya as his witness.

After one year as a monk, he traveled to Bangkok to study Pali scriptures at Wat Thep Thidaram monastery, but returned home when his brother died during a cholera outbreak, canceling his plans to pursue monastic studies.

When Phra Photharaj, the abbot of Wat Bodhi Chai, passed away, Luang Pu Ka was appointed abbot in 1913. He became a respected teacher of the Dharma and Vinaya, training numerous monks and novices in recitation of the Patimokkha and Buddhist chants through oral instruction. He never sought administrative rank within the monastic community, focusing instead on educational and spiritual guidance of both monks and laypeople.

During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of a new brick ordination hall to replace the deteriorating wooden structure, a project taking four years. He also supervised construction of a sermon hall housing an ancient Buddha image in the Mara-victory posture, originally created when the temple was founded, measuring 2.4 meters wide and 4 meters tall, along with three new monastic residences.

Luang Pu Ka was renowned for his strict adherence to monastic discipline and simple living. He trained his students to be mindful even of minor precepts, practiced moderation, avoided material accumulation, and lived frugally. In his final years, his health declined despite medical treatment, and he peacefully passed away on September 19, 1977, at 8:20 p.m. from old age at 96 years of age and 75 years of monastic life.

Before his death that year, his students had planned to create a commemorative amulet to distribute on what would have been his 97th birthday, but the project was not completed before his passing. The medal features a shield-like shape with a loop, and displays a half-length portrait of Luang Pu Ka on the front. This was the first edition, cast in aged copper, though the exact number produced remains unknown.