Revered Monk Luang Pu Sa-nga's 6-Era Buddha Coins Released
The biography of revered monk Luang Pu Sa-nga Chittasangvaro of Wat Thap Than Wararam in Uthai Thani is detailed, highlighting his scholarly achievements, temple development work, and royal ecclesiastical honors. The article also describes the issuance of commemorative six-era Buddha coins in 1972 to raise funds for public welfare and education, featuring Buddha images from six historical Thai periods on the obverse and the monk's personal yantra on the reverse.
Luang Pu Sa-nga Chittasangvaro, former district abbot of Thap Than and abbot of Wat Thap Than Wararam in Uthai Thani, was a monk known for his Buddhist scholarship and interest in sciences. He studied with Luang Pu Khuean Sangwonthammo, a renowned meditation master, and learned magical arts from his manuscripts. Born Sa-nga Prawanwan on July 7, 1925, in Thap Than District, he ordained on May 24, 1945, at Wat Nong Sa, receiving the name Chittasangvaro. He passed the highest Nak Tham Ek and Parian Tham 4 exams in 1952 at the Uthai Thani provincial monastic school.
From 1952, he observed the rains retreat at Wat Thap Than Wararam alongside his preceptor Phra Udom Thamphan, developing the temple and building earthen dikes to retain rainwater. In 1953, he began constructing a kuti with a shower system, served as Thap Than district Sangha committee member, examiner for Nak Tham Tri at Sanam Luang, and committee member for Samakkhi Prasat Witthaya School and Pali examinations at Sanam Luang. In 1959, he was elevated to Phra Khru Sangkhabat Tho with the title Phra Khru Ular Thammathokit.
In 1965, when Phra Udom Thamphan went to Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri to oversee reconstruction of a mondop atop Khao Sakae Krang that had burned, Luang Pu Sa-nga was appointed abbot of Wat Thap Than Wararam and Thap Than district abbot. He was later promoted to Phra Khru Chao Khana Amphoe Ek (1974), served as president of Thap Than subdistrict and district training units (1977), became a Phra Pariyatinnithesak (1989), and a Phra Dhammathut for Thap Than district (1990).
He renovated dilapidated old kutis, designed concrete drainage channels, and built a crematorium without raising the ground level. Known for his exemplary conduct, he served as a role model for Buddhists. In old age, he suffered from emphysema and was treated at Uthai Thani Hospital from January 13, 2007, for ten months before passing away peacefully at 8:45 AM on November 10, 2007, in the ICU, aged 82 with 62 years in the monkhood.
On April 11, 1972, commemorative items were created: a cast statue of Luang Pu Khuean, egg-shaped coins with his image, locket coins with his photograph, and six-era coins. Proceeds supported public welfare and education. The six-era coins represent the Chiang Saen, Sukhothai, Lanna, U Thong, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin periods. They feature replicas of six Buddha images from these eras on the obverse — five seated, one standing adorned with regalia. Made in 1,000 alpaca and 1,000 bronze coins, they are round with a suspension loop, bordered on both sides. The reverse center bears the personal yantra of Luang Pu Sa-nga.
