Luang Phor Guay ChutinTaroh, Wat Kositaram

Luang Phor Guay ChutinTaroh, was born in 2nd Nov B.E.2448, in Barn Kae, Moo.9, Tambon Bang Khood, Ampur Sankhaburi, Changwat Chainat. His Dhamma name ‘ChutinTaroh’ means a person who is able to attain Nippan by eliminating the defilements of greed, anger, delusions and passions inherent in all living beings.

His given name was Guay, and his family name was Panson. His father’s name was Tui Panson and his mother’s name was Mae Dtuan Dechma. His parents had 5 children, and he was the youngest. The eldest son was named Nai Tu Panson, 2nd brother was named Nai Kad Panson, 3rd brother was named Nai Cheun Panson and the 4th sibling, his elder sister, was named Nang Nak Panson. Luang Phor Guay passed away on 12th April 2522 at age 74 years old, having completed 54 Pansa.

Timeline	Events
1st Sep B.E. 2491	Got promoted to Zhao Awat of Wat Barn Kae
12th April B.E. 2522, 7:55am	Passed away at age 74 years old, completing 54 Pansa

 

Early Education

As a child, his parents brought him to understudy with Luang Pu Khuad, Wat Barn Kae (Wat Kositaram) when he was young. In those days, public infrastructure and education were not readily accessible to the area, and it was customary for parents to send their children to the nearest temples for education. Monks would teach the children how to read and write, concepts of Buddhist morality, and other skills or crafts they knew. When Luang Phor Khuad saw Guay, he felt that Guay possessed a markedly different sort of aura; he carried himself well, he was much fairer than his siblings and parents, and unlike other children his age, he was gentle, quiet and well behaved. His eyes also shone with an unusual intensity. Luang Phor Khuad foretold his future based on his birthdate and realised that Guay was indeed different, and would one day attain an elevated level of achievement in the practice of Buddhism. Knowing this, Luang Phor Khuad was elated to have him as a student.

Guay was only 6 or 7 years old at this point, while Luang Phor Khuad was already well-advanced in age. Luang Phor Khuad taught him to read and write in Thai vowels, Mathematics, Buddhist katha and Dhamma. Luang Phor also taught Guay to read and write the Khom language. After a short time, Luang Phor Khuad passed away, and Guay was sent to learn from Ajarn Dam, Wat Hua Den, near Wat Barn Kae. Ajarn Dam further schooled him in Khom and a host of other knowledge.

When Guay was sufficiently proficient in Khom, his parents sent him to Wat Prao, in Tambon Don Gum, Ampur Sankhaburi, Changwat Chainat. As Luang Phor Khuad and Ajarn Dam had taught him most of the curriculum that was available there, Guay found himself stymied by the lack of new knowledge. As a result, Guay lost interest in formal education and returned to the fields to help his parents. During his teenage years, he was quite mischievous and enjoyed tormenting his neighbours by attacking them with a slingshot whenever he noticed that they had left a window open. This startled the occupants who then proceeded to shut their windows. In the days past, thieves would enter the house through windows, and it would be unsafe to leave them open.

Road to Ordination

Luang Phor Guay often related to his parents that he would like to be ordained as a monk and that if he ever succeeded, he would leave his normal life behind and never return.

There was a reason for his motivation. He often snuck into his girlfriend’s room at night, right under the blissfully unaware noses of her parents. On the night of a full moon, he crept up towards her room but was afraid of being discovered. He waited for the night to get darker before climbing in. What he saw next shook him for life. Unlike the usual pretty sight that greeted him each night, he was confronted by the sight of his girlfriend, fast asleep but painfully dishevelled, and corpse-like in the darkness. He left in a hurry and never returned.

When Guay was 18-20 years old, his parents brought him to Wat Bot, in Tambon PohNgam, Ampur Sankhaburi, Changwat Chainat, to be ordained as a monk, as is customary for most Thai men. Guay eschewed a fancy ordination ceremony, instead opting to complete it in the private presence of his family. On the 5th of July, B.E. 2467, 3:17pm, he was ordained. His Preceptor was Phra Chainat Munee, the 1st Announcing Teacher was Luang Phor Pah, and the 2nd Announcing Teacher was Phra Ajarn Ring. Luang Phor Guay was christened “ChutinTaroh”, or “The One who has renounced all worldly desires”.

He settled at Wat Barn Kae where Luang Pu Mah was the Zhao Awat, and he learnt (TedSana) Buddhist sermons from Luang Phor Mah, Tedsana Wessandon Chadok, Wessandon Gan Guman and Wessandon TanGan (Chapters in the Jataka Tales). He was fluent in Wessandon Gan Guman and Wessandon TanGan, but not the others.

Acquiring the Sacred Knowledges

After that, Luang Phor Guay learnt traditional Thai medicine from Mor Khian, who was adept at treating smallpox. On 19th June B.E. 2472, he travelled to Wat WangKhorn, Tambon Pohchonkai to learn Phra Pariyattitam (the study and understanding of Dhamma as expounded in the Suttas) for 2 Pansa. He was, however, unable to attend his Buddhist exam as he fell ill.

He wanted to learn Vipassana meditation, as well as the crafting of amulets. He went to learn from Luang Phor Sri Wiriyasopit, Wat Phra Prang, Changwat Singburi. Luang Phor Sri was an expert in Vipassana Gammatan, as well as the endemic wicha of the area. Luang Phor Guay learned from Luang Phor Sri how to create the ring, as well as a host of other skills. It is said that the wicha for rings was Luang Phor Sri’s speciality, examples of which may be identified by the presence of the Khom character “Itti” underneath each ring. Luang Phor Guay inherited this knowledge from Luang Phor Sri and fashioned rings in a similar design.

After completing this tutelage, he again relocated to Wat Nong TahKeaw, in Tambon Koak Chang, Ampur Derm Bang Nang Buad, Changwat Supanburi for one Pansa. He planted a Ton Samor (Terminalia Chebula) in this temple, which still lives today. Luang Ta Saman of that temple told of an incident where he brought a rooster to that tree, but it was restless throughout the night. It was suspected that the tree might have been recited with mysterious incantations.

An Enchanted Book

On 1st June B.E.2477, Luang Phor Guay moved to Wat Nong Khaem, Tambon Dong Kon, Ampur Sankhaburi, Changwat Chainat for one Pansa to further his studies in Thai traditional Thai medicine, under the tutelage of Yom Puan at Barn Nong Khaem, and Mor Yai at Barn Bang Nam Phra. While he was staying at Wat Nong Khaem, he befriended a monk named Jaem, who found a Tamra samood khoi hidden inside a hole in a tree. Phra Jaem related to Luang Phor Guay that he was unable to retrieve the Tamra, as there was a mystical force protecting it.

This piqued Luang Phor Guay’s curiosity. When they arrived at the tree, they saw that there were offerings of candles, joss-sticks and garlands of flowers offered by others who had tried unsuccessfully to remove the Tamra.

The pair made an offering of candles and joss sticks at the tree. At first, Luang Phor Guay simply tried asking for permission, “If I’m allowed to learn from this Tamra, let the 3 incense sticks be burnt completely”. The incense sticks extinguished midway. Luang Phor Guay then changed his approach, and said; “If you allow me to bring back this Tamra, I will learn all the wicha in this book and use the knowledge to help others”. This time, the incense sticks burnt out completely.

Luang Phor Guay then did a Utid Suan-guson and dedicated the merit to the originator of the Tamra. It was then that he was finally able to respectfully appease the beings protecting it and, and successfully retrieve the Tamra.

The cover of the Tamra displayed prominent red marking of “Kru Rang”. When Luang Phor Guay opened this Tamra, he saw a series of warnings against bringing it into any household, at the peril of experiencing tragedies within. As the legend goes, the Tamra has been placed in every hole by a person who had fallen victim to its curse, and decided on that course of action in order to avert any further tragedy.

The Tamra contained many yants, and Luang Phor Guay became proficient in all. Yant Kan Arwoot (protection against weapons), Garn Gratam (protection against evil spells from others), Kan Kon (for self-protection, to repel evil and curses back to the originator), Kan Khong (protection against various forms of black magic), and a host of other katha were some of the topics covered by the tome.

A particularly unique piece of knowledge within it, was the ritual of “Phra Mon Phra Puttajow Chana Marn”, which is used to invite Phra Mae Thoranee to make NamMon (holy water). Instructions were given on how to use the katha in both evils as well as virtuous ways, along with a severe warning that Kalawat were explicitly forbidden from partaking in the knowledge.

Several copies of the Tamra were eventually made. One was passed to Ajarn Weann Maninan, Wat TahTong, Changwat Suphanburi. Other copies were kept by Ajarn Tua, Wat Nong Edook and Ajarn Saweang, Wat Nong Edook, Ampur Sankhaburi, Changwat Chainat.

Ajarn Samruay Pansong (Phra Atikan Samruay AkakPanyo), who was the 7th Zhao Awat of Wat Kositaram, kept the original copy. A devotee once requested to view the Tamra, and Ajarn Samruay told him that this Tamra informed him that he would first have to make a series of offerings and devotionals in order to ascertain if we were worthy to view the knowledge within, as serious consequences would befall the unworthy.

Endless Learning

Luang Phor Guay eventually moved to Wat Bang TahNgai, Ampur Banpot Pichai, Changwat Nakhon Sawan. He learnt from Luang Phor Derm (Wat Nong Pho), the Wicha for Wean Khean (arm bracelets), takrut, Meed Mor, as well as osteopathy and bone, joint and muscle massage from Luang Phor Ken, of Wat Dong Setthi, Changwat Uthai Thani. He also learnt from Luang Phor Puang, of Wat Nong Gradon, and Luang Phor Gan, Wat Khao Keaw, who readily traded knowledge of Wicha with him. He also studied the art of Jindamanee, Wicha Mer Yoaw and Wicha Tampahkod from Luang Phor Aim, of Wat Hua Khao, Ampur Derm Bang, Changwat Supanburi.

He learnt how to make takrut graduk ngu (snake bone takrut) from Luang Phor Ban, Wat Derm Bang. Ampur Derm Bang, Changwat Supanburi. He also learnt traditional Thai medicine from Luang Phor Puang, Wat Nong Gradon. A Kalawat named Nai Pan taught Luang Phor Guay how to use yant Tua Tor effectively. This wicha was from Luang Phor Toh, Wat Wiharnthong. He also learnt katha and yant from Luang Phor Tao, Wat KangKow. Luang Phor Guay studied under many other teachers, for whom records do not exist.

Before B.E.2484 (the exact date of which is unclear), Luang Phor wanted to learn Wicha Tam Thong and Wicha Len Reh Prae Taat (alchemy of minerals and crystals/elements and smelting of metals etc) from Luang Phor Derm from Wat Nong Pho, but Luang Phor Derm refused to accept him as a pupil.

After the rejection, Luang Phor Guay returned to Wat Barn Kae, where he began inscribing sakyant for the devotees. His renown by this point was staggering, and temple found itself inundated with sakyant requests, that often kept Luang Phor Guay busy from dawn till dusk. The number of requests swelled to more than 44,000 at one point, with even more unrecorded.

 

Many recipients of Luang Phor Guay’s sakyant had reported miraculous incidences of “Ying Mai Ork”. The mystical incantations tattooed by Luang Phor, made them impervious to guns, which would mysteriously misfire or fail when used against them.

Shunning the trappings of fame and wealth, Luang Phor Guay chose to cease his sakyants. He often jokingly remarked to his students that had he not done so, he might have been able to tile the roof of the entire kuti with stacks of 100-baht bills.
Luang Phor Guay instead chose to channel his skills into the crafting of takrut, meed mor, wean khean and phra phim (various types of amulets affiliated with the Buddha). On 1st Sep B.E. 2491, he got promoted to Zhao Awat of Wat Barn Kae. On 1st March B.E. 2497, he got promoted to 1st Announcing Teacher. On 5th Dec B.E.2511, the Somdej Phra Sangkaraj bestowed Luang Phor Guay with the title of Phra Kru ChanPraTuan.

Loss of an Eminent Sangha

As the threshold of the year B.E. 2521, Luang Phor Guay fell gravely ill and was admitted to the hospital. It was revealed that his staunch adherence to the Buddhist precept of only consuming one meal a day, had withered his body. Upon discharge, however, he insisted on maintaining his regimen. One day in March B.E.2522, he circled 2 dates on the calendar; 11th March in blue, and 11th April in Red. On the calendar date of 11th Apr, he penned a declaration accompanied by the katha “Namo Tah Bod”, recited as “Na tan toh namo tan ti tan ti tan toh namo tan tan”. The declaration read, “Artah mah pub Phra Guay” (my name is Phra Guay), and “I will pass away on 11th April, time 7:55am”.

He fell seriously ill on 11th March. He was unable to eat anything and became very weak but refused to be admitted to the hospital. Luang Phor would, however, continue to inscribe takrut, or grab the saisin to bless amulets. He would continue to bless amulets for the devotees throughout each night, completely exhausting himself in the process, growing increasingly emaciated in the process. Devotees would still pour into the temple to visit him, and Luang Phor even continued blessing them with winning lottery numbers if he saw a chance to improve their lives.

 

On the night of 10th April, as he clung on to his last vestiges of life, his students came to pay their last respects. Although extremely weak, he stayed alive well into the 11th of April. His students suspected that his room harboured too much spiritual force from Wicha, and it was keeping him from passing on peacefully. They relocated him to a Hor Suad Mon (Hall which is used for morning and evening recitation). Once there, he opened his eyes, looked at his disciples, put his palms together to say his final goodbyes. At that exact moment, one of the huge temple bells came crashing to the floor with a thunderous gong. The disciples checked his pulse and discovered that their master has passed at exactly 7:55am, just as he had predicted. They carried out ceremonies to mourn his passing, for a100 days after.

The Monk and His Character

The Thais had loved Luang Phor Guay very much when he was still alive, and many made these observations about his character;

• He was a man of few words. When he talked, he was mindful of his speech
• He loved flora and fauna, He loved gardening and his favourite animals were dogs, as he felt that they were the most sincere of creatures. He did not, however, like monkeys.
• He was kind to everyone regardless of their status.
• He liked to create amulets for people in need and had no regard for any of the wealth or status they brought.
• He did not like to travel outside the temple and did not particularly enjoy social events
• He relished opportunities for research and learning
• He was a charitable person, often bestowing winning lottery numbers on devotees by writing them on their hands, or on slips of paper
• He did not care about the money and completely ignored any offerings of it that devotees attempted to give him
• He ate only once a day for 30 years
• He was very self-confident and did not like sycophants. If he did not take a liking to anyone, he would ignore and not speak to them. If he knew that someone did not like him, he would not care as well. He kept a dog which he would unleash on troublemakers he encountered. (This sort of personality is referred to as “Kon Trong” in Thai, meaning a person who is exceedingly straightforward)
• After blessing an amulet, he did not distribute it to devotees unless he believed that he had crafted it to be especially efficacious or potent.

Katha to worship Luang Phor Guay

Namo Tassa Pakawatoh Arahatoh Sammasamputtassa – 3x
Suppatipanno Pakawatoh Sawakahsangkoh
Sangkhang na mami
Ittisukkhatoh chutinang tahro
Namo puttaya, na si wang, phromma ma ah u