Monk Luang Pho Somkhuan Honored on 22nd Death Anniversary

Luang Pho Somkhuan was born on September 17, 1916 in Tay Ninh, Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). He began his education at Wat Pho Nang Dong School in Tay Ninh, completing fourth grade in 1928. At age 20 he was ordained on April 25, 1936 at Wat Jong Gron in Saigon, with Phra Tham Chariyaphat of Wat Mani Petrararam as his preceptor. In 1937 he traveled to Cambodia and resided at Wat Lam Don in Phra Tabong province, studying Pali and Dhamma while also working as a community teacher. By late 1941, after Thailand took control of Phra Tabong, Siem Reap and Sisophon, he returned to stay with his preceptor in Siem Reap, where he passed the preliminary and intermediate Dhamma examinations at Wat Pho Sak's school. He then studied Buddhist doctrine and meditation under Phra Ajaan Kim Om at Wat Pho Nang Dong and Phra Ajaan Thang Hai at Wat Jong Gron in southern Vietnam for two rainy seasons before pursuing esoteric knowledge at the office of Phra Kru Laen at Wat Matak in Sisophon district. In 1944 he embarked on a wandering pilgrimage into Thailand, entering through Aranyaprathet and passing through Prachin Buri, Saraburi, Buriram, Surin and reaching Chiang Mai before returning to take residence at Wat Tho Nam in Nakhon Sawan in 1947. Thereafter he resumed his wandering practice, meditating at sites such as Kasaek Hill in Tak Li, Mothalin Hill, Phra Thai Cave, Chom Chang Pagoda, Cho Hae Pagoda, Phra Lung Cave, Chiang Dao Cave, where he met many eminent teachers. Around 1956, while passing through Nakhon Chai Si in Nakhon Pathom, he helped build the ubosot of Wat Salawan and had the opportunity to meet Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, the Supreme Patriarch, earning appointment as a doctrinal officer and participating in the 25th‑century celebration in 2000. Before settling at Wat Tho Nam, he wandered through Nakhon Sawan via Chum Saeng and stayed at Wat Chom Kheerin Nakarat (Wat Khao), where he was impressed by the beauty of Bung Boraphet’s lotus-covered waters and wished to remain in Nakhon Sawan. When lay supporters invited him to return to Wat Tho Nam to assist in fundraising and restoration, he agreed, and after the renovations were completed he continued to spend his time in the forests and hills of Uthai Thani. In 1988 he finally took up permanent residence at Wat Tho Nam. Luang Pho Somkhuan created many amulets for soldiers and the public. In 2003, as his health declined, he reduced his engagements and received care from the military hospital at Camp Jiraprawat. He was frequently admitted due to frailty and passed away peacefully on October 3, 2004 at 1:10 pm at Camp Jiraprawat Hospital, Mueang Nakhon Sawan, at the age of 88, having completed 66 rainy seasons.