Remembering Luang Pho Jan, Revered Maha Sarakham Monk
Maha Sarakham's Buddhist community commemorated the 58th death anniversary of Luang Pho Jan, a revered monk and former abbot known for his strict discipline, profound teachings, and decades of temple and community development in the Northea
On Wednesday, July 8, 2024, the Buddhist community of Maha Sarakham commemorated the 58th anniversary of the death of Phra Khru Phituksuntharakarn, also known as Luang Pho Jan Chantsaro, the former abbot of Wat Ban Kham Pom in Kham Pom subdistrict, Wapi Pathum district, Maha Sarakham province. He was a monk of exemplary conduct and profound compassion, held in the faith of Buddhists from Maha Sarakham throughout his life.
Born into the Maldhara family in 1906 at Ban Kham Pom, he came from a farming background. He was ordained in 1926 at Wat Ban Nong Hai, with the renowned northeastern preceptor Phra Khru Suntharasathukij (Luang Pu Sun) of Wat Ban Sua Gok as his ordaining teacher. He studied the Buddha's teachings at the prestigious Wat Somanas Pradis school in Wapi Pathum district, achieving the highest levels of Dhamma studies. He also studied Buddhist philosophy with Luang Pu Sun, who compassionately transmitted vast knowledge and taught him to read and write in Lao, Khmer, and Thai Noi scripts, making him exceptionally learned in ancient writing systems.
He was strict in monastic discipline and cherished solitude. After the annual retreat, he regularly traveled to forests and mountains throughout the Northeast, seeking spiritual liberation following the Buddha's path. This deepened his understanding of both monastic law and meditation practice.
His exemplary and consistent conduct earned him quick recognition among the faithful. Daily, local devotees visited to pay respects and listen to his teachings. He continuously taught them to observe the Five Precepts, emphasizing that ordinary people need only uphold these precepts as a foundation for a life of happiness and prosperity.
He was a highly beneficial developer of Buddhism. Resources from the faith of devotees were directed toward temple development—buildings, religious objects, and structures like teaching halls, glass walls, and monk's quarters—while beautifying the temple grounds with abundant trees to create a serene, meditative atmosphere.
Using these resources, he also developed religious education, establishing a school at Wat Ban Kham Pom to teach Buddhist studies to ordained residents, many from impoverished families. He continuously supported the local community.
His virtuous conduct earned him the trust of the monastic community. He was appointed abbot of Wat Ban Kham Pom, district monk administrator for Kham Pom, preceptor, and received royal ecclesiastical ranks of Phra Khru with First, Second, and Third Class credentials under the name Phra Khru Phituksuntharakarn.
He worked tirelessly managing monastic affairs, community development, and ceremonial duties. Despite his declining health from advanced lung cancer, he initially refused hospitalization, recognizing that birth, aging, illness, and death are universal truths no one can escape. Eventually, his disciples persuaded him to receive treatment at a provincial hospital, though he later requested to return to the temple.
He passed away peacefully on July 8, 1968, at the age of 62, having completed 42 Buddhist retreat seasons.
