Revered Abbot Luang Pho Chun Remembered

Luang Pho Chun Ratanalopa (Phra Kru Mongkhon Ratanaphirak) of Wat Khok Bam Ratsadorn in Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi, was a venerated Buddhist scholar whose wisdom commanded deep respect throughout the district. According to local accounts, even the Christian temple of Saint Anthony needed his blessing when casting religious medals. Born on October 20, 1899, in Wat Kaew, Bangpae, to parents Tim and Lamyai Iba Bon, young Chun studied Thai and Khmer literacy under Phra Ajarn Chaeng at Wat Kaew before moving to relatives in Don Kruai. At age 23, his relatives arranged his ordination at Wat Khok Bam Ratsadorn, where he received the monastic name Ratanalopa under the guidance of Luang Pho Hua. He spent ten monsoon seasons at Wat Khok Bam Ratsadorn before returning to Wat Kaew for eight seasons to care for his ailing father until the latter's death. Upon completing funeral rites, he returned to his original temple. In 1943, when the previous abbot passed away, villagers invited him to succeed as head monk. In 1954, during Luang Pho Rat's tenure, the temple underwent major reconstruction and received royal recognition for its monastery boundary in 1913. He rose through monastic ranks, receiving the titles Phra Kru Chaen Prathuan in 1961 and Phra Kru Chaen Sanyabat in 1971. His scholarship was so formidable that even respected teachers from neighboring temples acknowledged his exceptional knowledge. Beyond studying with local monks, Chun pursued esoteric knowledge including water blessing, protective amulets, and ritual cloth-making with various masters across Ratchaburi. Among his legendary accomplishments was a rain-stopping banner said to command miraculous power over wind and weather—stories tell of how during new chapel construction, rain mysteriously ceased around the flag for an entire year until villagers convinced him to remove it. A compassionate educator, Luang Pho Chun supported orphans through their schooling, helping many achieve success in their studies and monastic careers, including his eventual successor Luang Pho Prom. He died of old age on January 29, 1971.