Temple Honors 142nd Anniversary of Venerable Luang Pu Nak

On Saturday, August 1, 2026, the 142nd birth anniversary of Phra Thep Sithinayok, or Luang Pu Nak Sophono, the former abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram in Bangkok, was commemorated. This highly respected Buddhist master, known throughout the community for his piety and renown, created numerous sacred amulets and talismans, including powder-pressed amulets of revered monks and blessed coins. Originally named Nak Marengsit, he was born on August 1, 1884, at Prasat Village in Mueang Prasat Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, to parents Nayom Pom and Nang Songwan Marengsit. Like other village children, he sought education to bring honor to his family, but Nakhon Ratchasima then had no schools, only temples. His parents entrusted him to Phra Kru Sangkhawicharn (Mi), his uncle at Wat Bueng near the Chumpol Gate, who taught him appropriately. At age 13, he ordained in 1897 at Wat Bueng, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, under Phra Kru Sangkhawicharn (Mi) as his preceptor. Recognized for his keen intelligence and scholarly ability, his teachers in Pali and Thai language encouraged him to pursue further studies at a respectable monastery in Bangkok. He traveled to Bangkok with a caravan of about 30 people, departing from Nakhon Ratchasima and arriving after a month-long journey. His uncle placed him under the care of Phra Ajarn Luem, a resident monk of Wat Rakhang Khositaram, whose dwelling was located near the canal entrance (now the site of Wat Rakhang Girls School). Phra Thamma Trailokacharya, who later became Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya (Maj. Mom Rajcharin Israngkun), the temple's abbot, provided him patronage. At age 15, he studied Pali and advanced to the translation level, becoming the first to recite the Dhamma in three verses before the King, with several venerable monks serving as ecclesiastical examiners. Novice Naka passed the oral examination in Dhamma three verses and received the Attha Brakhit Thai Dhamma gift from King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. In 1905, his determination did not waver; he continued his studies and passed the examination in four-verse Dhamma recitation through oral translation, a difficult achievement for that era. At age 21, he entered the higher ordination at the Buddhist precinct of Wat Rakhang Khositaram, with Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya (Rit) of Wat Arun as his preceptor, Somdet Phra Wanrat (Dit) of Wat Mahathat Yuvarajarangsi as his reciter of the ordinance, and Phra Thamma Koshacharya (Phae) of Wat Suthat Thepwararam as his witness. Phra Thamma Trailokacharya (Maj. Mom Rajcharin) gave the teachings, and his preceptor bestowed upon him the name "Sophono." In 1906, he passed the examination in five-verse Dhamma recitation but did not proceed to the sixth verse, as he was occupied with duties as close attendant serving the temple for Somdet Phra Phutthakhosacharya, the abbot. While studying Pali scriptures, he also pursued meditation practice and techniques at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng) and Wat Ratchasittharam (Wat Phlab), engaging in rigorous mental cultivation over a ten-year period until he achieved the level of contemplative wisdom. In 1941, he created sacred amulets based on texts by Somdet Phra Phutthacharya (To Phomsrangsi). During this period of warfare in Southeast Asia, he distributed these sacred amulets to soldiers to carry into battle, boosting their morale and courage. The amulets created by Luang Pu Naka and those made in subsequent generations became highly popular and earned prestige in the amulet world.