Legendary Monk Luang Pho Rak Inspires Faith Through Sacred Amulets
Luang Pho Rak Itthathammo, former abbot of Wat Noi Saeng Chan in Samut Songkhram, was ordained in 1931 and later became a respected spiritual leader known for his Buddhist teachings and amulet creation. He oversaw the temple’s growth, taught meditation to local communities, and remained a beloved figure until his peaceful death in 1995 at age 85. His legacy lives on through the sacred amulets that continue to be sought after across central Thailand.
Luang Pho Rak Itthathammo returned to Wat Noi Saeng Chan, the temple of his birth, to observe the rains retreat and care for his aging mother while Luang Pho Poon served as abbot. In 1951, after Luang Pho Poon passed away, the villagers and temple committee invited him to assume the abbacy, recognizing his seniority, knowledge of mystical arts, and exemplary conduct. Under his leadership, Wat Noi Saeng Chan expanded: he added new buildings, reinforced permanent structures, and encouraged the local community to live by moral principles. He emphasized Buddhist outreach, organizing biweekly training for monks and novices, morning and evening chanting, and ethical instruction for temple children and public school students based on the five precepts. In 1973 he began teaching meditation techniques to residents of Samut Songkhram and neighboring provinces. Revered as a development‑focused monk who upheld the monastic code, he earned deep faith from the people. As he advanced in age, his health weakened, leading to frequent illness and hospital stays, and eventually he died peacefully in 1995 at the age of 85, having completed 64 rains retreats. The amulets he created—ranging from talismans to yantra cloths—are renowned for their potent Buddhist power throughout the Mae Klong basin and central Thailand, including the first edition coins featuring the rear of the Buddha Phra Phuttha Chinarat.
