Luang Phor Rung Tissaro
Phra Det Phra Khun Rung | |
|---|---|
| Personal life | |
| Born | 16 August 1873 |
| Died | 27 September 1957 (aged 84) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Temple | Wat Tha Krabue |
| Dharma names | Tissaro |
Phra Phairot Wutthachan or Luang Pho Rung (1873 – 27 September 1957) was a revered Geji Ajahn, former abbot of Wat Tha Krabue, and former district monastic chief of Krathum Baen. Luang Pho Rung was a monk who practiced diligently in accordance with the teachings of the Lord Buddha and was highly respected and revered by many devotees.
Biography
Phra Phairot Wutthachan was born with the lay name Rung Phuangpraphan on Saturday, the 8th waning day of the 9th lunar month in the Year of the Rooster, corresponding to 16 August 1873, in Tambon Nong Nok Khai (some sources say Tambon Bang Yang), Krathum Baen District, Samut Sakhon Province. His father was named Phuang and his mother Kim; the family surname was Phuangpraphan.
He was ordained as a samanera to study and was fully ordained as a bhikkhu on 5 May 1894 at Wat Noi Nophakhun. After studying the Dhamma and Vinaya at Wat Noi for some time, he went on thudong (wandering ascetic practice) to learn sacred knowledge from several renowned Kaechi masters, including Luang Pu Thong Ayana, Luang Pu Suk Kesaro, Luang Pu Nak of Wat Sunthon Sathit, Luang Pho Run of Wat Chang Phueak, Luang Phor Plai Chandasaro, Luang Pho Lam of Wat Ang Thong, and Luang Pho Weng of Wat Hong Arunratthami, among others. Eventually, he came upon Wat Tha Krabue, which at the time was an abandoned monastic hermitage. He resolved to develop it into a serene place for Dhamma practice. Local villagers, seeing his virtuous conduct and serious dedication to development, helped transform the hermitage into a shady, suitable site for practice. Later, Luang Pho Rung requested official recognition to elevate the hermitage to a full temple. Once approved, villagers donated funds to construct permanent structures, leading to the temple's gradual prosperity.
Ecclesiastical ranks
- 1939: Appointed as a provisional Phra Kru titled Phra Kru Rung
- 1946: Promoted to Phra Kru with certificate, second class, titled Phra Kru Phairot Mantakhom
- 1951: Promoted to Phra Kru with certificate, first class, retaining the same royal title
- 1956: Elevated to Phra Ratchakhana ordinary class titled Phra Phairot Wutthachan[1]
Death
Phra Phairot Wutthachan passed away on 27 September 1957 at 01:05 a.m., aged 84 years and 63 vassa (rain retreats). His royal cremation was held on 30 March 1958.
Sacred objects
In the early period, Luang Pho Rung distributed Buddha amulets he had received from various Kaechi masters encountered during his thudong journeys to lay devotees at the temple. He began creating amulets and talismans for disciples. Due to their reputed sanctity, demand grew, prompting him to produce various medal editions for distribution. He created many types of sacred objects on different occasions and regularly participated in major consecration ceremonies, such as the 1938 ceremony at Wat Ratchabophit, the Indochina Phra Phuttha Chinarat ceremony at Wat Suthat, and the 25th Buddhist Century ceremony. Today, all sacred objects of Luang Pho Rung are highly popular.
Highly popular sacred objects of Luang Pho Rung, Wat Tha Krabue, include:
- Luang Pho Rung medal, Wat Tha Krabue, first edition, 1941
- Luang Pho Rung medal, Wat Tha Krabue, second edition (reverse Buddha), 1945
- Luang Pho Rung medal, Wat Tha Krabue, fan-rank type, 1957
- Luang Pho Rung medal issued at Wat Suan Som, 1957
- Takrut Chan Phen (full-moon takrut)
Personal sayings
- satimato sadā bhaddaṃ – One with mindfulness always has good fortune.
- satimato suve seyyo – A mindful person improves every day.
- kiccakaro siyā na ca majje – Everyone should fulfill their duties and not be heedless.
- vinayaṃ so na jānāti – The fool refuses to acknowledge discipline.
- na hiyati saccaparakkamo muni – The wise person who strives earnestly and sincerely does not fall.
- sabbesaṃ sahito hoti – A good person benefits everyone.
- cittassa damatho sādhu – Taming the mind is excellent.
- phātiṃ kayirā aviheṭhayaṃ paraṃ – One should create prosperity and not harm others.
References
- ^ "Notification from the Prime Minister's Office: Royal Grant of Ecclesiastical Rank Certificates" (PDF). Ratchakitcha. 74 (6 Ng (special)): 10. 12 January 1957. Retrieved 12 October 2020.