Luang Pu Tim: The Revered Master of Old Ayutthaya

Luang Pu Tim Attasanto was a celebrated Buddhist monk from Wat Phra Khao in Ayutthaya province. Originally named Tim Chum Chokdee, he was born on Sunday, March 1, 1913, the Year of the Rat, in Phra Khao subdistrict, Bang Baan district, Ayutthaya province, to parents named Prom and Kim Chum Chokdee. He was the fifth of six children. In his youth, he was conscripted into military service and deployed for the French Indochina War and World War II until his discharge. After leaving the military, he ordained as a Buddhist monk in July 1932 at Wat Pikul, Bang Baan district, with Luang Pho Puay of Wat Khwit as his preceptor, Luang Pho Liaw of Wat Pohtkop Jao as his Dharma instructor, and Phra Athikan Liaw, the abbot of Wat Pikul, as his spiritual guide. However, he disrobed after only one monastic year to marry, have a family, and raise four children. He later returned to monastic life on April 10, 1948, at age 35, at Wat Pikul, with Phra Kru Udom Samacharn (Luang Pho Sang) of Wat Nam Tao as his preceptor, receiving the name Attasanto. He spent his rain retreat at Wat Pikul and later moved to Wat Nam Tao, where he studied meditation practice intensively with Luang Pho Sang for about a month. He subsequently transferred his rain retreat residence to Wat Phra Khao from 1949 onwards and became its abbot in 1955. In scriptural studies, Luang Pu Tim passed the highest-level Buddhist scripture examination in 1957. In administrative duties, he served as head of the Na Tao subdistrict monastic council in 1967 and as a preceptor. He received his first ecclesiastical rank promotion in 1969 to Phra Kru Sanyabat First Class with the royal title Phra Kru Sangworsomankij, and was promoted to Second Class in 1976. He devoted himself to restoring and maintaining the ancient temple. Luang Pu Tim was known as a dedicated meditation practitioner who preferred solitude in forests, strict observance of the monastic discipline, detachment from material wealth, humble living, and universal compassion toward all who sought his blessings, showing no discrimination by class or wealth. He was particularly renowned for his knowledge of sacred amulets and talismans, having studied the esoteric arts from Luang Pho Sang, Luang Pho Jong of Wat Nang Tao Nok, and Luang Pho Sot of Wat Pak Namm Phasi Charoen. His physical condition gradually declined with age, and he passed away peacefully on March 22, 2009, while receiving treatment at Thoracic Hospital in Nonthaburi at the age of 96 with 62 years of monastic seniority. Among his most beloved amulets were jujube candies, bell amulets, and silver and gold fish charms, with many items known for their spiritual power and commercial popularity. His most famous creation was the portrait medallion commissioned in 1997 as an offering to Luang Pu Tim and distributed free to his disciples by philanthropic businessman Boonma Bunlertwanit.