Reverent Monk Luang Pu In of Wat Nong Li Remembered

Luang Pu In Thammacho of Wat Nong Li in Pottharam District, Ratchaburi Province, was a celebrated Buddhist master of the late semi-Buddhist era. While early records of his life were not documented, it is known he was born in 1899 in Ban Nong Kop, Ban Prong District, Ratchaburi. He was ordained around 1921 at Wat Nong Kop in Ban Prong District.

He then studied in the Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Pathom areas, during which time villagers appointed him abbot of three temples: Wat Phra Sri Araya, Wat Nong Li, and another temple in Kanchanaburi. After each temple construction was completed according to the community's wishes, he would resign as abbot, saying the villagers had invited him to build, and once the building was finished, his role was done. This showed he had no attachment to position or status.

In his later years, he lived as a simple temple resident in a dwelling behind the monastery and did not travel to perform blessings. However, both local residents and those from neighboring provinces held him in very high regard. Close associates believed he had attained spiritual perfection. During blessing ceremonies in his final years, he would need only a brief mental intention—sometimes just a glance was enough. For example, when blessing a vehicle, he would have his disciples apply the sacred powder while he stood in his dwelling observing, and he would tell them it was effective.

When invited to perform blessings, if he agreed to come, he would ask for the date, time, and location to be written down. On the appointed day he would remain in his room and not go out. Some uncertain devotees, upon finishing the ceremony, would load items into a vehicle and bring them back for additional blessings, such as the Phra Nang Phaya amulet from 2538.

Moreover, a Buddha image called Phra Phutthakvak or Phra Phuttha Yot Khun Phon, belonging to Luang Pho Kan of Wat Phra Sri Araya, was brought to Wat Nong Li multiple times so Luang Pu In could bless it, after which Luang Pho Kan would perform further blessings.

In another instance, a Buddhist scholar preparing for Pali and Dhamma exams within a month had not yet studied any of the hundreds of required texts. When he asked Luang Pu In about his chances, the master closed his eyes briefly and said he would certainly pass. Just before the exam, the scholar reviewed only 2-3 pages and practiced translations. Remarkably, the exam questions matched exactly what he had studied, resulting in an unexpectedly high score.

He passed away from old age on June 29, 1996, at the age of 97, having observed 76 Buddhist lent periods. His body did not decompose. The temple preserves it at Wat Nong Li's pagoda for devotional veneration.

He created many sacred amulets and charms renowned for their power, particularly among residents of Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi provinces.

The most famous amulet is the first edition, created in 1974 to commemorate the opening ceremony of Wat Nong Li's ordination hall. Only bronze coins were cast, some with star marks and some without. Only one type was blessed, and the number produced was not recorded.

The amulet is a stamped, edge-cut coin in an oval shape with an integral loop. The front depicts a half-figure in monastic robes with a patchwork robe draped over one shoulder. Below the image is Thai script reading 'Luang Pu In Wat Nong Li.' Some coins bear stamped star marks for authentication.

The reverse features sacred cipher art with five royal Buddha images. Below the cipher is Thai script reading 'Made by disciples, offered to Luang Pu.' This amulet remains an object of high devotion within the Buddhist community.