Somdej Toh Phrommarangsi

Somdej Phra Phutthachan (Toh Phrommarangsi), born simply "Toh" and popularly

known as Somdej Toh, Luang Pu Toh, Luang Phor Toh, or Somdej Wat Rakhang, was

a monk of the Maha Nikaya order and a renowned keji ajahn — a master monk — of

the third through fifth reigns of the Rattanakosin era. He was known as a

senior monk fully endowed with compassion, wisdom, and virtue. Born on

17 April 1788 (B.E. 2331) in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, he entered the

monastic life at a young age and became deeply versed in the monastic

discipline, the Tipitaka, and the Pali language, until in 1864 (B.E. 2407) he

was elevated to the title of Somdej Phra Phutthachan. He held the position of

abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan through the fourth and fifth

reigns, and remained in residence at that temple until his death in 1872

(B.E. 2415).

He is honoured as a master whose conduct and observance inspired deep

reverence, and he was widely revered even during his own lifetime, from the

monarch down to ordinary commoners. Beyond the austerity that so distinguished

him, he was also possessed of extraordinary qualities in the arts of sacred

incantation and in metta mahaniyom, the power to draw affection and goodwill.

The sacred objects known as Phra Somdej, which he created as offerings to the

Buddha, have been placed among the Benjapakee — the five supreme amulets of

Thailand — and single pieces now trade at prices in the millions of baht. For

his observance and these marvellous extraordinary qualities, Thai Buddhists

honour him as one of the immortal masters of Thailand, and he retains a great

many devotees to this day.

Birth

He came into the world during the reign of King Rama I, seven years after the

founding of Rattanakosin, at Ban Kai Chon (Tha Luang), Tha Ruea District, Phra

Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, on a Thursday, the twelfth day of the waxing

moon of the fifth lunar month, Year of the Monkey, Chula Sakarat 1150, at the

hour of the alms round — corresponding to 17 April 1788 (B.E. 2331).

Ordination

Having reached a suitable age, he was ordained as a novice in the Buddhist

religion in 1800 (B.E. 2343). It later became apparent that King Rama I held

the novice Toh in very great favour and affection. When he reached the age for

full ordination in 1807 (B.E. 2350), the King graciously granted him

ordination as a royal ordinand (nak luang) at Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram

(the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), with Somdej Phra Ariyawongsayan, the

Supreme Patriarch (Suk Yanasangwon), as his preceptor. He received the

monastic name "Phrommarangsi." Later, King Rama II graciously took the monk

Toh into royal patronage.

Conduct and observance

By the reign of King Rama III, the King wished to confer an ecclesiastical

title in order to honour the monk Toh's repute and merit, but he would not

accept it, having by disposition no regard whatever for rank, title, or

material offerings. Likewise, although the monk Toh had studied the monastic

discipline to the point of thorough mastery, that same disposition led him to

refuse to sit the translation examinations for the scholarly grade of parian.

It is related that the monk Toh afterwards set out on tudong to various

places, raising sacred monuments in each — among them the reclining Buddha at

Wat Satue, Tambon Tha Luang, Tha Ruea District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and

the Buddha image Luang Phor Toh at Wat Chaiyo, Ang Thong Province. Every

sacred monument he built was always of a size befitting his name (Toh means

"large"). Constructing sacred monuments on such a scale necessarily required

vast funds and labour to bring to completion. These works therefore stand as

visible evidence reflecting the faith and the barami of the monk Toh, who was

plainly held in reverence by the Buddhists of the districts through which his

tudong took him.

Ecclesiastical titles

In the reign of King Rama IV, the King held the monk Toh in very high favour,

and so in 1852 (B.E. 2395) conferred an ecclesiastical title on him for the

first time, as a Phra Rachakhana with the title "Phra Thammakiti," together

with the position of abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram. He was 65 years old at

the time. The monk Toh had ordinarily avoided receiving such conferrals, but

for certain reasons he was obliged to accept in the end. Two years later

(1854, B.E. 2397) he was raised to senior Phra Rachakhana with the title "Phra

Thepkawi," and when a further ten years had passed (1864, B.E. 2407) the King

graciously elevated him to Somdej Phra Rachakhana of the Suphannabat rank,

with the title "Somdej Phra Phutthachan," the name inscribed on the

suphannabat reading:

"Somdej Phra Phutthachan Anekpricha Wisutthasilachanyasombat Niphatthutakhun

Sirisunthon Phrotcharik Aranyikkhanarisorn Samananikonmahaparinayok

Tripidokkoson Wimonsilakhan, of Wat Rakhang Khositaram Woramahawihan,

Royal Monastery"

This title was the highest rank, and the last, that he received, up until the

day of his death. People in general commonly named him Somdej Toh or Somdej

Wat Rakhang, while those of his own era called him "Khrua Toh."

Final years

Around 1867 (B.E. 2410), Somdej Phra Phutthachan (Toh) took up the presidency

of the construction of the last important sacred object of his life: the

Buddha image Luang Phor Toh (Phra Si Ariya Metrai) at Wat Intharawihan, called

in that period Wat Bang Khun Phrom Nai. The construction was not completed in

time. With the image built up only as far as the navel, Somdej Phra

Phutthachan (Toh) died in the old pavilion of Wat Bang Khun Phrom Nai on a

Saturday, the second day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month, Year of

the Monkey, corresponding to 22 June 1872 (B.E. 2415), in the reign of King

Chulalongkorn. His age came to 84 years, he had remained in the monkhood for

64 rains retreats, and he had held the abbotship of Wat Rakhang Khositaram for

20 years.

The meaning of venerating Somdej Phra Phutthachan (Toh Phrommarangsi)

Supporting barami and wisdom

Since Somdej Toh was a senior monk known for keen intelligence, a portion of

those who venerate him believe that recollecting him helps support greater

wisdom, sharper thinking, and sounder use of reason.

Protection from danger and harm

There is a belief transmitted down among those who take an interest in amulets

that the "Somdej" amulets connected with him are filled with the Buddha-power

of escape from danger and protection from harm. Those who hold to this belief

therefore believe that venerating him brings protection and safety.

Support in goodwill and popular favour

Some of those who venerate him believe they will be held in affection by

others and receive support in various matters, particularly in their work and

in negotiation and dealings.

Increasing merit and barami through recollecting one who practises well

According to Buddhist tradition, calling to mind a noble monk counts as an act

of very great merit, and helps raise the mind of the person recollecting.

Many of those who venerate him hold this to be the heart of the practice.

Support in fortune and prosperity

Another portion of those who venerate him believe that he helps sustain their

fortunes, brings prosperity, and opens the way for life to run smoothly.

*These five beliefs differ from person to person. Some who venerate him hold

all of them, some place importance on only certain ones, and some venerate him

solely to keep his observance before them as an example. They are not

demonstrable fact.*