Somdej Toh

Somdet To (1788–1872; B.E. 2331–2415), known formally as Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi) (Thai: สมเด็จพระพุฒาจารย์ (โต พฺรหฺมรํสี); RTGS: Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrommarangsi)), was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand's Rattanakosin period and continues to be the most widely known saintly monk in Thailand.[1] He is revered for spiritual powers and his amulets are sought after.[2] His images and statues are some of the most popular religious icons in Bangkok.[3]

Somdet Phra
Buddhacarya
Personal
Born
To (โต)

(1788-04-17)April 17, 1788
Tha Ruea, Ayutthaya, Siam
DiedJune 22, 1872(1872-06-22) (aged 84)
Bang Khun Phrom, Bangkok, Siam
ReligionBuddhism
SchoolMaha Nikaya
Other names
  • Somdet To (สมเด็จโต)
  • Khrua To (ขรัวโต)
Dharma namesBrahmaramsi (พฺรหฺมรํสี)

Biography

Somdet To was born in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, the illegitimate son of King Rama II.[4] He studied the Buddhist scriptures of the Pāli Canon with several Buddhist masters. After becoming a well-known monk, he became the preceptor for Prince Mongkut, later King Rama IV, when Mongkut became a monk. During Rama IV's reign Somdet To was given the ceremonial name Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi – Buddh[a]charya meaning teacher (acharya) of Buddhism) by the King and used to be one of his trusted advisers, having left a lot of teaching stories around him and the King.[5]

He was noted for the skill of his preaching and his use of Thai poetry to reflect the beauty of Buddhism, and for making amulets called Somdej. The amulets were blessed by himself and other respected monks in Thailand. He also appears in many versions of the story of the ghost Mae Nak Phra Khanong, and he is said to be the one to finally subdue her. Somdet To also wrote the Jinapanjara, a protective magical incantation which is widely chanted and used by Thais.[6]

Sources
  1. Legends of Somdet Toh, Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu,

References
  1. McDaniel, Justin Thomas. The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk: Practicing Buddhism in Modern Thailand.
  2. McDaniel, Justin Thomas. The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk: Practicing Buddhism in Modern Thailand.
  3. McDaniel, Justin Thomas. The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk: Practicing Buddhism in Modern Thailand. It is a lesser known fact, that Somdet Toh, was also the grandson of His Majesty King Rama I of Thailand, and the son of His Majesty King Rama II, which was until recently a completely unknown fact, due to his mother not being of Royal Status, so the fact was never allowed to be known by the folk, during Somdet Toh's lifetime. This was of course because an illegitimate child, would damage the image of the Kingdom. This is however also the real reason that he reached such an elevated status as a monk, and was called to the Palace, and bestow with the Abbotship of Wat Rakhang, because he was the son of the second King of the Chakri Dynasty, but not an Heir to the Throne.
  4. [Maha-Amarttri Phaya Thipkosa Sorn Lohanan, Biography of Somdet To, (Bangkok: Nithitham Printing, 1930)]
  5. Legends of Somdet Toh
  6. McDaniel, Justin Thomas. The Lovelorn Ghost and the Magical Monk: Practicing Buddhism in Modern Thailand.


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