Wat Pak To Marks 123rd Anniversary of Luang Pho Seng
Wat Pak To in Ratchaburi marks the 123rd birth anniversary of Luang Pho Seng, a revered former abbot and distinguished Buddhist scholar who achieved the highest ecclesiastical rank and established monastic academies.
On Thursday, July 2, 2026, the temple community commemorates the 123rd birth anniversary of Phra Phiibun Thammavet (Luang Pho Seng Phutthasaro), the former abbot of Wat Pak To in Pak To District, Ratchaburi. Originally named Kim Seng Sae Phu, he was born on July 2, 1903, in Moo Ban Kok Phra Charoen. He ordained at Wat Pak To on May 1, 1923, under the tutelage of several senior monks. A remarkably gifted scholar, he passed the Naktham (Buddhist doctrine) exam at the tertiary level in 1924, his first year in robes.
After studying at Wat Thepthidaram in Bangkok, he progressed through successive examinations, achieving the highest scholarly ranks by 1924. That year, he became a teacher of Buddhist doctrine at Wat Pak To, where an academy had been established. He later served as abbot of Wat Yang Ngam, where he founded a similar academy and oversaw significant repairs and expansions.
On November 29, 1941, he was appointed District Head of the Sangha (Buddhist clergy). On April 6, 1944, he was elevated to the rank of Phra Upachaya (preceptor). On August 17, 1945, he became a member of the District Sangha Education Committee, and was appointed District Head of Pak To clergy on August 17, 1946. He received the monastic rank of Phra Khru Sannyabat on December 5, 1948, with the formal name Phra Khru Phiibun Samonnawat.
He served as abbot of Wat Yang Ngam until April 15, 1958, when he transferred to become abbot of Wat Pak To. On December 5, 1961, he received the highest ecclesiastical rank of Rajgana (royal clergy).
