Luang Phor Ding, Wat Bang Wua, Changwat ChaChoengSao

 

Luang Phor Ding’s

Dhamma name was Phra Kru PiBoon KanaRak KongkaSuwanno. He was born on 15th March, B.E. 2420, at Tambon Bang Wua, Changwat ChaChoengSao. He was born to family of farmers.

His father was named Hem

, and his mother was named Luan. Thus, his family name was HemLuan. His parents had a total of 16 children, with him ranking 8th in age among his siblings. When he was a child, his father brought him to understudy with monks at Wat Bang Wua, where he learned Buddhist Dhamma. After school, he would help his family in the fields.

 

Journey of Knowledge

When he was 20 years old, he ordained at Patha Sima

Phra Ubosot in Wat Bang Wua, on 10th April B.E. 2440. His Preceptor was Luang Phor Dit,Wat Bang Samak, his 1st Announcing Teacher was Phra Ajarn Plod, Wat Bang Wua, and his 2nd Announcing Teacher was Phra Ajarn Jang, Wat Bang Samak. After his ordainment, he was named KungkaSuwanno. He stayed at Wat Bang Wua and understudied Luang Phor Ditfor 2 Pansa.

 

Next, he travelled to Wat Traimit Wittayaram

, where he learnt the Phra Pariyattitam (sila or moral understanding) for one Pansa from Phra Attikarnpia, who was the Zhao Awat. Sometime later, Phra Attikanbia passed away, and the people requested Luang Phor Ding to replace him as the Zhao Awat. Luang Phor had completed 3 Pansa in the Wat by then.

Luang Phor Ding took over the position, renovated the Sala, Ubosot and any facilities that had broken down, and gave the monks and novice monks the chance to learn Phra Pariyattitam. Luang Phor has said that he had three principle teachers:
1) Luang Phor Dit, Wat Bang Samak,
2) Luang Phor Pern, Wat Ban Kow, Ampur Pan Thong, Changwat Chonburi

,
3) Luang Phor Pur, Wat Juan Khern Khan, Ampur Phra Pradeang, Changwat Samut Prakan– who taught him herbal traditional medicine.

He was famous for making the monkey amulet named Gabin JabLak, or Ling JabLak. The first batch of these was made in B.E.2481. 5 variants were made:
1) Phim Tuer Phrakhan

(monkey holding a knife)
2) Phim Tuer GraBong(monkey holding a baton)
3) Phim Tuer Tri Sam Ngam(monkey holding a trident)
4) Phim Nang Samathi(also called Ling JamSinor a monkey in a meditation posture)
5) Phim Pidta AtitanLarp(a monkey covering its eyes with its hands)

Creation Process

The creation of Ling JabLak followed a strict procedure:
1) Pootsorn (the Gardenia Jasminoides tree) or Dok RakSorn (the Crown Flower tree with 2 layers of flower, refer to pic below), were gathered. These flowers were only picked from trees whose roots grew eastward. The person harvesting the flowers had to strictly observe the 5 Buddhist precepts, and possess a basic understanding of Buddhism and katha. The process to harvest the tree is called Phithi Khood Plee RakMai (meaning to cut and dig out). The harvester had to be dressed in white, and only dig the trees out on a Tuesday or a Saturday. Observing auspicious hours were mandatory for the harvest, and if there were no auspicious timing on any given day, the trees could not be harvested. Extreme care was taken to ensure that no shadows fell upon the trees. A special katha was recited throughout the process (the specifics of which, unfortunately, have been lost to time)

 

 

 

2) Luang Phor Ding then dried the branches and roots under the sun. After they had completely dried out, he carved the wood into the 5 variants of the amulet each was no wider than a knuckle.

 

Consecration Procedure

1) Luang Phor inspected the carved Monkeys to ensure that they met the standards stated in the Tamra.
2) Before the consecration ceremony, the Monkeys had to be kept for 7 Saturdays, and 9 Tuesdays.
3) Then Luang Phor selected a date to carry out the consecration. During the consecration process, Luang Phor placed the Monkeys into his alms bowl, and recited katha.
4) It was said that the monkeys jumped out of the bowl. Those that did would immediately qualify to be used as amulets. Those that did not however, were prodded in the bottom by Luang Phor using a small steel knife, causing them to leap out. Those Monkeys were considered to be more efficacious as they possessed a stronger will.

Method of Worship:

1) Namo Tassa Pakawatoh Arahatoh Sammasamputtasa – 3x.

2) Next, recite the katha below, according to Tam Phalang (power) Kamlang Wan Gerd

. This means that there are certain amounts of repetitions of the katha that you must recite for specific days. It is believed that by chanting the appropriate number of repetitions for that day, it will bring out the greatest level of auspiciousness (refer to our article on Phra Katha Tam Kamlang Wan Gerd Maha Jakkapat).

Katha

Hanumana Na Ma Pa Ta

For Saturday – chant 10x
For Sunday – chant 6x
For Monday – chant 15x
For Tuesday – chant 8x
For Wednesday – chant 12x
For Thursday – chant 19x
For Friday – chant 21x

3) If meeting people whose are in a higher position than you, put the monkey in namman chan

(any metta oil that is consecrated), recite the katha, and dab the oil on the middle of your forehead.
4) If you are meeting your lover, put the Monkey in the namman chan, recite the katha and apply the oil around the belly button, circling to the left.
5) If you are meeting a man, put the monkey in the namman chan, recite the katha and apply the oil around the belly button, circling to the right.
6) If you want to charm everyone in the house into falling asleep, recite the katha according to the Tam Phalang (power) Kamlang Wan Gerd (refer to the exact number of repetitions above) for that day, the place the monkey on the main pillar / beam of the house.
7) If you find yourself in a physical altercation, place the monkey in your mouth and recite the katha according to Tam Phalang Kamlang Wan Gerd (refer to the information above to determine the correct number of repetitions for the day). Blow out your breath softly and secretly. This will cause him to fall into a daze.