Luang Phor Thuad was born in B.E 2125 (1582) in Suan Chan Village, Chumphol Dustrict, Sathing Phra in Songkla (Southern Thailand). His parent was Khun Hu and Mae Chan, a poor couple living in the place of Shrentthi Pan, the wealthy landlord. His parents name their child as “Pu” (meaning crab).
When Pu (Luang Phor Thuad) was less than 6 months old, he was placed in a towel under a shady tree near the padi field while his mother was working.At noon she ceased work for a time in order to breast-feed him. As she walked towards the baby, she saw a huge python twine round him.She alarmed for help. The neighbours quickly gathered knives, axes and clubs and came round. The python was stern and motionless. The people around did not know what to do. No one dared to start the attack and suddenly,his mother gets an idea. With the old belief that this snake might be the god created vision. She quickly plucked seven wild flowers of different colours, put then on a leaf which served as a plate, knelt down, closed her eyes, and prayed earnestly.The python spit out a crystal ball on the baby’s chest and left out soon. It was a brilliant crystal ball.Many people gathered round to have a look at it. His mother then kept the gem and brought him home.
A rich man offered a very good price for the crystal ball, but his mother did not wish to sell it. The rich man forced her.At last she presented it to him. The rich man was happy but for only a while. Within three days, all members in his family fell ill. He consulted a medium and was told that he had kept something which did not belong to him by right. Only the baby boy could own it.The rich man was frightened and returned the crystal ball to the baby’s mother. Within 3 months, money poured in like water. His parents became very rich. The neighbours were jealous. They stole the crystal ball. They were chased by the python till they threw it into a pit.Later a deity revealed the whereabouts of the crystal ball to his parents in their dreams, thus the precious crystal ball was recovered. His parents became more devoted to the Buddha.They generously helped the poor, made offerings to the Sangha (Monk) and built temples.
Luang Phor Thuad began to learn about the Buddhist teaching in a temple nearby at the age of 5 years old. Rather talented as he was, he mastered all subjects his teacher could guide him within a year. He went to other temples over the hill and across the jungle to acquire further teaching every day. He became a monk at the age of 12 years old and devoted a full time study in the Dharma. His father passed away at the age of 72 years old when he was 30 years old. In order to further the studies in Buddhism, he left his mother and went to other province.
From the present location, Wat Pakok, Singora, Thailand, Luang Phor Thuad took a boat sailing northward to Ayuthaya province (former capital of Thailand). After sailing for half a day, the boat met with great storms. The boat was jolted and the passengers were frightened. The boat did not arrive at its destination after drifting for several days. The store of drinking water ran short. The boatmen gathered that their previous voyages had all been very smooth.The catastrophe might have been caused by the presence of the monks.They planned to push him into the sea. He could sense their intention. He consoled them that they needed not worry about drinking water as there was plentiful around. He stretched his leg out of the boat, the storm was pacified. With his leg, he drew a circle on the sea and told the boatmen to draw water within the circle for drinking.
The boatmen were angry at first as they did not believe that the sea water could be used for drinking. After his assurance they made a try and found that it was actually drinkable. One purposely tasted the water outside the circle and shouted that it was salty.The boatmen were amazed and did not take further steps to harm Luang Phor Thuad.
On the next day, the boat arrived at the Ayuthaya province.Luang Phor Thuad walked for a few miles and was happy to see a stately temple in front of him.The monks in the temple refused to accept him as he was poorly clad. He turned to an old temple not very far away. The old keeper welcomed him and offered him board and lodging. He stayed there to study the scripture, to pay homage to the Buddha and to practised meditation for half a year.
The ruler of a neighbouring country,King of Sri Lanka sent seven monks to Ayuthaya province to test the achievements of the monks in Thailand. They brought with them 12 bowls containing 84,000 words. These words were to be arranged into a certain sutra within 1 week. If the task was accomplished, King of Sri Lanka will prepare to present Thailand with seven boats made of gold. Should the task be a failure, Thailand should surrender their sovereignty to their country. The Thai King gathered all well-known learned monks to tackle the problem. Many tried but were not successful.
Announcement was made by the court to look for someone capable of dealing with the task. On the fourth night the King dreamed of a white elephant trumpeting in dazzling light. He consulted a fortune-teller and was told that it was a good sign as a sage was likely to appear to solve the problem. The King was uncertain. On the sixth day, Luang Phor Thuad left the temple in the morning to beg for food. He arrived at a rich man’s house. The people were discussing about that very serious topic. They saw him holding a bowl standing in front of their doors. The host reverently offered him food. He sensed that the monk in front was rather extraordinary in appearance. He paid Luang Phor Thuat due respect and told the latter that their country reputed for their Buddhist studies would be put to shame if no one could meet the challenge put forward by the neighbouring land and asked whether the latter could help in that matter. Luang Phor Thuad replied that he would try. The host was very happy. He intended to invite Luang Phor Thuat to see the King immediately. Luang Phor Thuad told him not to be hurry and would go the next morning.
After Luang Phor Thuat had left, the host broke the news to the King. On the next morning, the King sent a special carriage to bring Luang Phor Thuat to the palace. On arrival he was escorted by the officials to the entrance. The steps with loud noises as Luang Phor Thuat walked on them barefooted. The King and the officials were all very quiet. About half an hour later the monks from the neighbouring country came in. After exchanging greetings, Luang Phor Thuad began to arrange the words. 12 bowls of words were poured on the table. He closed his eyes and arranged them with both hands. About a quarter of an hour later, he announced that 5 words were missing.
Those 7 monks remained in silence. He then warned that anyone did not quickly take out those missing words would die of cracking skull. The culprit was frightened and took out those missing words. With his eyes closed Luang Phor Thuad exercised the supernormal power to arrange the words. The sutra was completed in a little while. Seeing that Thailand was invincible, those seven monks presented those 7 boats made of gold and left.Thus Luang Phor Thuad’s name was well-known throughout the country. He was looked upon as a saintly Buddhist monk in Thai history.
Luang Phor Thuad remained in the capital city for a few years until be was informed of his mother’s serious illness. He rushed southwards and not long after his mother died at the age of 78 years old. After the funeral he stayed back in Singora, Thailand.
A state governor from the south by the surname of Phang, a man with a comparatively dark countenance, wished to build a Buddhist temple. He came to Singora to look for a distinguished monk to head the project. One evening after sunset, he saw an old monk stroll along the seaside, leaving behind a trail of light. He knew that was the right person to approach. He stepped forward to pay due respect to the monk and told the monk his intention of building a temple in Pattani. Luang Phor Thuad already knew the matter through his psychic power. He consented and went with the governor Phang to Pattani. When the construction was completed, the temple was named Wat ChangHai. Luang Phor Thuad was abbot to this temple till he passed away at the age of 120 years old.
For over three hundred years Luang Phor Thuat has been exercising his power to help people in danger and accidents. His images were highly esteemed for their supernormal power.
The image may protect the bearer from the disturbance by demons and relieve sufferings of a patient. Its effect in preventing accidents is especially noted.
