Luang Phor Kasem was born on Wednesday, 28th November BE2455
in Jangwat Lampang. Luang Phor Kasem was the descendants of Lampang's King from
Lanna Period.
He became a novice monk in BE2468 after the dead his uncle,
the abbot of Wat Bunyeun. In BE2470, he went to Bangkok, Wat Setuwan to study
Pali language. He returned to Lampang and further his Pali studies in Wat
Seelom and Wat Bunyawaht.
In BE2475, he passed his Pali examination with good results
and came in first in class at Wat Setuwan. In BE2476, he was ordained as a monk
at Wat Bunyeun at the age of 21 years old. His preceptor was Tahn Jow Koon
Tammajindah. His ordained name's was Kemagoh Pikkhu.
Luang Phor Kasem ever sat in sammahdti for as long as 3
months, without shelter under hot sun or heavy rain. Even his robes were wet by
the rain or during cold season, when the cold wind blows, Luang Phor Kasem
would just sit quietly and not complain and asked for anything. He had let go
of everything and steadfast in his practice of dhamma and sammahdti.
He ever go without food for 49 days. Since BE2514, Luang
Phor Kasem only bathed once a year, but there is no stench or foul odour from
his body, even his sweat was pouring under the hot sun. More surprisingly,
without shelter and mosquito net, Luang Phor Kasem never suffered a bite from
mosquito at the cemetery.
Luang Phor Kasem carried nothing with him. His only
possession was an alms bowl, his robe which he was wearing and a piece of human
bone for him to practice sammahdti. He did not even have any footwear.
Luang Phor Kasem ever mentioned that he is a forest monk and
does not require any possession. He was contented with a piece of robe covering
his body. Whatever things the layman gave to him, Luang Phor Kasem would give
away to other monks.
Luang Phor Kasem never used a pillow to sleep, because to
him, a pillow is a luxury. Luang Phor Kasem would sleep with his body in full
prostrate position and would sleep at the same spot where he sat in sammahdti.
He was very determined to find the truth of life. He asked
for nothing in life though he can enjoy the luxuries in life, as he was the
descendant of royal blood in Lampang. Luang Phor Kasem passed away in BE2538 at
the age of 83.
 |
| LP Kasem visited and respected by King Rama 9 |
