Revered Abbot of Suan Luang Temple Honored in First Medal Series

Phra Kru Samut Wiriyaphon, known as Luang Pu Phuek Bunyanviriyo, was the former abbot of Suan Luang Temple in Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province, and is regarded as a highly respected Buddhist scholar and spiritual teacher by residents of Amphawa and surrounding areas. Born in 1905, he was the son of Im and Cham Phot-Im, with his father also having ordained as a monk and served as abbot of Suan Luang Temple. From an early age, Phuek demonstrated exceptional intelligence and ordained as a novice monk. In 1925, he took full ordination at Suan Luang Temple's ordination hall, receiving the monastic name Bunyanviriyo. He studied Buddhist incantations and foundational doctrines with Luang Pu Kong of Bang Kapo Temple, his principal teacher, regularly crossing the river by boat to study and occasionally staying overnight at the temple. He became a senior disciple alongside Luang Pu Sai of Chan Charoen Suk Temple and was a senior brother to Luang Pu Nueng of Chula Mani Temple. He later became deputy abbot to assist with temple administration before his appointment as abbot in 1943. Luang Pu Phuek was known as a devoted, humble monk with deep compassion, widely respected by locals. He was particularly skilled in herbal medicine and treated villagers' ailments with great success, earning the affectionate title "the doctor monk of Suan Luang Temple." Fishermen often brought their boats to him for blessing. Suan Luang Temple is a community temple located at Ban Laem Suan Luang in Amphawa District, established in 1787, making it over 300 years old. The temple houses several ancient and sacred artifacts, including the revered Buddha statue Luang Pu Chakranarayana in the ordination hall, a stupa from the late Ayutthaya period, and a monks' dwelling built during the reign of King Rama V—the only one of its kind in Samut Songkhram Province. Luang Pu Phuek governed the temple peacefully until his death on April 10, 1973, at age 68 with 47 Buddhist lent periods. The temple preserved his remains until 1982, when they were cremated on March 7, 1982. During his lifetime, he created numerous amulets and sacred objects that are highly valued by collectors. The most popular is the "First Series Medal of Luang Pu Phuek of Suan Luang Temple," created in 1960 to commemorate the temple's patrons and close disciples.