Unseen: A chapel with walls decorated with various models of Phra Somdej Phra Buddhacarya Toh at Wat Sanam, Sing Buri Province.
At Wat Phra Thammuni, or as the locals call it, Wat Sanam, Tambon Pho Prajak, Amphoe Tha Chang, Singburi Province, there are important items related to Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommarangsi). In addition, the ordination hall is decorated with various molds of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya To, Somdej Chitlada, Wat Paknam, Phra Nang Phaya, Phra Benjaphakee, Phra Rod, each measuring 1 meter wide and 1.50 meters high, totaling 26 molds. Behind the principal Buddha image, there is also a large Phra Somdej Luang Pho Pae, so we traveled to Wat Sanam to ask to see it.
Phra Khru Wisit Worakarn, the abbot of Wat Phra Thammuni (Wat Sanam), took us on a tour of the Ubosot and said that Wat Sanam was originally a temple built during the Ayutthaya period, but later became deserted until Luang Pho Pae Khemangkhro, the former abbot of Wat Phikun Thong, came to help restore it and had him help take
care of the temple until he became the current abbot. With his faith in Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommarangsi) and the important objects related to Somdet Phra Buddhacarya, the Ubosot was built. Skilled craftsmen from Wat Rakhang carved the model and created replicas of various models of Buddha images that Somdet Phra Buddhacarya To had created, decorating the Ubosot, a total of 28 images, and a large replica of Somdet Phra Buddhacarya, which is located behind the principal Buddha image.
There are also the remains of an old pagoda from the Ayutthaya period. I built a temple and placed a Buddha image on top to prevent people from digging and stealing things. I intend to restore it, but I still lack the funds. I would like to invite Buddhists to join in making merit for this restoration by donating construction materials directly or you can make merit in the temple’s account, Krung Thai Bank, Singburi Branch, account name Phra Khru Wisitworakan, account number 196-1-09970-5.
Then he took us to the abbot’s
residence to see the items used by Somdej Phra Buddhacarya Toh. He added that a disciple and caretaker of the temple named Achan Somphong brought them to the temple because in the past, Somdej Phra Buddhacarya Toh had come to give a sermon to celebrate a housewarming at the house of Luang Kalmai Nimit or Nai Liam Sukramuk, who was Achan Somphong’s grandfather at Ban Chang Lo, Bangkok Noi, which at that time was a district under Thonburi Province.
The items used by Somdej Phra Buddhacarya Toh in the religious ceremony at that time included a seat, an altar, a Buddha image, a candlestick, a brass vase, a wooden box, and a teapot, as well as Somdej Phra Buddhacarya Toh’s right foot print imprinted with turmeric on a cloth, a foot towel, and a betel nut cloth. All of the items were inherited from Ajarn Sompong’s family. They are important items that are worth preserving, so they were given to the temple to collect and open for interested devotees to visit and pay homage.
Source: Thai News Agency