Luang Phor Bai Thammachoto
Luang Phor Bai Thammachoto | |
|---|---|
| Title | Luang Phor Bai Thammachoto |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Bai 1861 |
| Died | 5 January 1942 (aged 80–81) |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Education | Studied Thai and Pali under Phra Ajahn Kla of Wat Suan Thung |
| Known for | Abbot of Wat Chong Lom; close disciple of Luang Phor Kaew Phrommasaro |
| Other names | หลวงพ่อบ่าย ธมฺมโชโต |
| Occupation | Buddhist monk |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| School | Theravāda |
| Lineage | Mahānikāya |
| Dharma names | Thammachoto (ธมฺมโชโต) |
| Ordination | c. 1881 (B.E. 2424) |
| Senior posting | |
| Based in | Wat Chong Lom, Samut Songkhram Province |
Luang Phor Bai Thammachoto (หลวงพ่อบ่าย ธมฺมโชโต; 1861 – January 5, 1942) was a revered Thai Buddhist monk and Geji Ajahn. He was the former abbot of Wat Chong Lom and a close disciple of Luang Phor Kaew Phrommasaro. His closest monastic companion was Luang Pu Khong Dhammachoto.[1][2]
Bhanurangsi Savangwongse held deep faith in both of these monks and once remarked to Princess Chalermket Mongkhon that after the passing of "Luang Phor Kaew," the monks of Wat Chong Lom and Wat Bang Kaphom were both reliable spiritual figures.[2]
Biography
Luang Phor Bai Thammachoto was an orphan adopted by Mr. Ket (also known as Phra Ajahn Ket, elder brother of Luang Phor Kaew Phrommasaro) and Mrs. Prang Thongphan. He was born in 1861 (B.E. 2404), during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), at Ban Bang Khrok, Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi Province.[2]
At the age of 10, he studied Thai language and Pali with “Phra Ajahn Kla” of Wat Suan Thung. At 15, he was ordained as a novice monk (samanera) for one rainy retreat (vassa), then disrobed to help his parents with their livelihood.
At age 20, he was ordained as a monk at Wat Thong Noppakun in Phetchaburi Province. His preceptor was Phra Upajjhaya Taeng of Wat Khao Bandai It. (Note: This detail may be inaccurate, as Luang Phor Bai was born in 1861 while Luang Phor Daeng of Wat Khao Bandai It was born in 1879; therefore, the “Phra Upajjhaya Taeng” mentioned may have been a different monk of the same temple.)
His Dhamma teachers were “Phra Ajahn Phuk” of Wat Suan Thung (as Kammawachacharya), and “Phra Ajahn Ket” of Wat Thong Noppakun together with Luang Phor Kaew Brahmasaro (as Anusasanacharya).
After one rainy retreat at Wat Thong Noppakun, he was invited to reside at Wat Chong Lom in Samut Songkhram Province together with Luang Phor Kaew.[2]
Monastic Work
Luang Phor Bai began his studies in sacred Dhamma and esoteric disciplines under Phra Ajahn Phuk of Wat Suan Thung and Phra Ajahn Ket of Wat Thong Noppakun, and later deepened his training under Luang Phor Kaew, who was then abbot of Wat Chong Lom. He also studied Vipassana meditation alongside his Dhamma practice.
He loved wandering on ascetic pilgrimages (dhutanga), often traveling with Luang Phor Kaew throughout Thailand, and sometimes leading his own disciples on these journeys.
When Luang Phor Kaew was invited to become abbot of Wat Puang Malai in 1888 (B.E. 2431), Luang Phor Bai was appointed abbot of Wat Chong Lom in his stead.[2]
He died on January 5, 1942 (B.E. 2485), during the reign of King Ananda Mahidol, aged 81 years, having completed 61 vassa.