Luang Phor Jong Phuttasaro

Luang Pho Jong Phutthasaro (Thai: หลวงพ่อจง พุทฺธสโร), also known by his ecclesiastical title Phra Athikan Chong Phutthasaro, was a highly revered Thai Buddhist monk and former abbot of Wat Nataang Nok in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.^[1]He was born in March 1872 and died on 17 February 1965 at the age of 92, having served in the monkhood for 71 years.

Luang Pho Jong was renowned throughout Ayutthaya and neighboring provinces for his deep compassion, spiritual accomplishments, and service to both monastic and lay communities. He was well known for his humility and kindness toward people of all social classes. Many of his disciples and devotees continue to venerate him today. He was also a close contemporary of several famed monks, including Luang Phor Parn Sonanto, Luang Pu Yim of Wat Chao Ched Nai, and others.^[2][3] During his lifetime, Luang Pho Jong was frequently invited to participate in major Buddhist chanting and blessing ceremonies. Among them were:

• The Royal Chanting Ceremony at Wat Ratchabophit in 1938 (B.E. 2481),
• The 25th Buddhist Century Commemorative Ceremony at Wat Suthat in 1957 (B.E. 2500),
• The Consecration Ceremony at Wat Prasat Boonyawat in 1963 (B.E. 2506). ^[4]

He was revered as one of the "Four Great Monks of the Indochina War Era"—a group whose amulets and blessings were especially sought after for protection and good fortune—alongside Luang Phor Jad Khankhasaro, Luang Pu Khong Dhammachoto, and Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo. This group was commonly referred to collectively as "Chad–Jong–Khong–Iee".^[5]

Luang Pho Jong was born in March 1872, during the early reign of Rama V. His father's name was Yot and his mother's name was Khrip; both were residents of Bang Sai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. At age 11, he was ordained as a novice monk at Wat Nataang Nai. When he reached the age of 21, he was fully ordained at Wat Bang Pla Mo under the preceptorship of Luang Pho Sun, with Phra Ajahn In of Wat Nataang Nok serving as the kammavācācariya (officiant) and Phra Ajahn Pho of Wat Nataang Nai as the anusavanācariya (reciter). He was given the monastic title Phutthasaro.^[6]

Following ordination, he resided at Wat Nataang Nai to study Dhamma and Vinaya, meditation, and sacred incantations under the guidance of Luang Pho Sun and Phra Ajahn Pho—both of whom were widely respected masters at the time. In 1907 (B.E. 2450), he was appointed abbot of Wat Nataang Nok, where he continued to serve the community, rebuild the temple, and teach the Dhamma for more than five decades.

Luang Pho Jong died peacefully on 17 February 1965 during the reign of Rama IX, aged 92, having spent 71 years in the monastic life and 58 years as abbot of Wat Nataang Nok.