Venerable Luang Por Thongdee, Esteemed Eastern Buddhist Scholar

Luang Por Thongdee Aruno, also known as Phra Kru Suvannseesilpissut, was the former abbot of Wat Suraskid in Khao Khanthorn Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. A highly learned Buddhist scholar of considerable renown in Eastern Thailand, he was a devoted student of several illustrious teachers: Luang Pu Kong Suvanno of Wat Wang Sanbhores in Khlong District, Chanthaburi; Luang Pu Erm Promo of Wat Juk Kachor in Chonburi; and Luang Por Phiw Seelavissutho of Wat Songngan in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Originally from Sisaket Province, Luang Por Thongdee was born on June 12, 1933. He completed his primary education through grade four before traveling to Bangkok at age 14. Before his ordination, he worked as a rice porter in the Khlong Toei area, earning an average of 25 baht per month. He later moved to seek work in the Maablamphid community in Baan Bueng District, Chonburi.

In 1974, he undertook a brief 15-day ordination to resolve a karmic debt at Wat Prai Sanad in Pluak Daeng District, with Phra Kru Siripatanasopon (Luang Por Phiw) of Wat Songngan serving as his preceptor. He then became a student of Luang Pu Erm Promo at Wat Juk Kachor for approximately six months, studying Buddhist texts and earning certifications in Buddhist studies at three levels: bachelor, master, and doctorate.

He subsequently studied under Luang Pu Kong at Wat Wang Sanbhores and Luang Por Phiw at Wat Songngan, gaining expertise in various disciplines including sacred script and yantra writing, powder drawing, amulet consecration, ancient medicine, and forest herbalism.

Around 1993, he transferred to Wat Suraskid to assist the abbot in temple restoration efforts. Following the abbot's death, he assumed the position of abbot in 1995. Two years later, he successfully petitioned to establish proper monastic boundaries, elevating the temple's status from a branch monastery to an independent temple.

Wat Suraskid was originally built around 1968 to commemorate Chao Phraya Suraskid, a minister who had developed railways during King Rama V's reign, bringing prosperity to local communities. When the temple sought official naming through the Department of Religious Affairs, the word "minister" was removed from the name to avoid resemblance to royal nomenclature.

The temple occupies approximately 26 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, shaded by tall rubber trees with spreading branches. The serene and tranquil atmosphere is enhanced by landscaping with various plants, making it ideal for meditation and spiritual practice. The abbot and his disciples worked together to maintain the temple's peaceful appearance, planting trees and fostering an environment conducive to Buddhist practice.

Luang Por Thongdee employed his extensive knowledge as a skillful means to teach Buddhist morality and ethics to laypeople, guiding them to follow Buddhist teachings and understand the Dharma with ease. The amulets and sacred objects he created inspired great faith and confidence among his disciples.

Despite advancing in years, Luang Por Thongdee remained in good health and continued to develop the temple. He was regarded as an exemplary monk and a renowned Buddhist scholar of Chonburi Province. He passed away from natural causes on April 4, 2022, at the age of 88, with 48 years of monastic life.