The Life and Legacy of Luang Pho Kan of Wat Sa Tak Ko

Luang Pho Kan Buddhajano, former abbot of Wat Sa Tak Ko in Nong Pla Hmo Subdistrict, Ban Po District, Rachaburi, was a celebrated Buddhist scholar from Rachaburi province. Originally named Kan, he was born in 1866 at Ban Sing, Photharam District, Rachaburi, the fourth of ten children. His father was Nai Jan, who later became known as Luang Pho Jan Chanthachot and served as abbot of Wat Ban Sing. In 1887 at age 21, he was ordained at Wat Ban Sing under the supervision of his father, receiving the monastic name Buddhajano.

He spent years studying under various teachers and practicing intensive meditation. Around 1907, he traveled to the peaceful village of Sa Tak Ko in Ban Po District and decided to settle there. The villagers developed faith in his virtuous conduct and invited him to reside there, eventually building Wat Sa Tak Ko in 1910, with him as its first abbot. The temple received royal consecration on February 21, 1927. He later returned to Wat Ban Sing to serve as abbot after his father's death, where he oversaw the construction of a magnificent scripture hall, a twelve-spire reliquary, multiple monk's quarters, and roads—structures that remain impressive to this day.

Beyond these two temples, Luang Pho Kan established monasteries in several other locations, including Wat Khun Thai Thara Ram in Tak District, Kanchanaburi, and Wat Yang Hak in Ban Po, Rachaburi, as well as one or two temples in Yangon, Myanmar. Following his annual custom of pilgrimage to venerate relics in Yangon each retreat season, he fell gravely ill with malaria in 1938 while traveling through Thai Yoek District, Kanchanaburi. He passed away that same year from the illness at age 72, having completed 51 Buddhist vassa (retreat years).

During his lifetime, Luang Pho Kan created many amulets and blessed objects, the most famous being the Brahma amulet and the portrait medal bearing his likeness, both of which remain highly revered.