Revered Abbot Luang Pho Ngern Honored with Profile Amulet

Luang Pho Ngern Chantasuwanno of Wat Don Yai Hom in Nakhon Pathom was revered as the "deity of Don Yai Hom." A native of Don Yai Hom born into a wealthy farming family on Tuesday, September 16, 2433 (1890), he ordained as a monk on May 18, 2453 (1910) at the temple's ordination hall under Phra Plod Hoei, the abbot of Wat Don Yai Hom. He remained at the temple studying Buddhist doctrine and chanting practices, becoming a venerable master deeply skilled in Buddhist teachings. This is evident from the numerous auspicious objects he created and consecrated, which devotees carried for spiritual protection and reported experiencing countless miracles. Upon ordaining, he told his father: "I have renounced everything. I make a solemn vow to the people of this village that I shall never disrobe and will be a guiding light to humanity. Please join me in this resolve with joy and confidence." From the outset of his monastic life, he demonstrated unwavering commitment, patience, and diligence, mastering sacred texts and displaying exceptional dedication to meditation practice for four years under his master's guidance.

By the end of his fifth year, he set out on a forest pilgrimage northward with two companion monks, sleeping wherever they stopped each night. After returning from a four-month pilgrimage, he stayed near Don Yai Hom with darkened, emaciated skin resembling an elderly man, so changed that villagers did not recognize him. Even his brother Nai Jaeng initially mistook him for a forest-dwelling monk from elsewhere, but upon closer inspection was stunned and nearly cried out. Composing himself, he raised his palms in respect and asked, "Is this you, Ngern?" Luang Pho Ngern replied with a laugh: "It is I, sister Jaeng. Am I so changed that you do not know me? I have been staying here for some time, seeing many villagers pass by, but no one has greeted me."

He served as abbot of Wat Don Yai Hom from 2466 (1923) and passed away peacefully on January 13, 2520 (1977) at Ramathibodi Hospital. He lived 87 years and spent 66 years in monastic life. Memorial observances are held annually from January 9-13, featuring monk ordination ceremonies to uphold precepts and foster community unity. An annual festival is held on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, allowing devotees to make merit and gold-leaf offerings to Buddhist statues and sacred objects discovered at the temple.

Auspicious objects created in his honor include Buddha statues, cast images, amulets, bells, and coins, all intended to support the temple's maintenance and benefit the surrounding community. These items have been highly sought after since ancient times, with their value increasing over the years, particularly the first-edition image amulet from 2488 (1945). However, equally renowned and well-known is the "side-profile amulet of Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Don Yai Hom," created in 2513 (1970) to commemorate the venerable abbot's eightieth birthday on September 16, 2513 (1970). The temple committee authorized its creation on this auspicious occasion, producing two types: a set of bells and stamped image amulets. The stamped amulet measured five centimeters in height and 3.5 centimeters in width, with its distinctive feature being that Luang Pho Ngern's image faced sideways rather than straight ahead.