TOK RAJA (LUANG PHOR KRON) - WAT UTTAMARAM (BANGSAEK), KELANTAN: KING OF PIDTA-MALAYSIA

TOK RAJA (LUANG PHOR KRON) Phra Wijaranayanamuni

Wat Uttamaram (Bangsaek), Kelantan, Malaysia.

King of Pidta in Malaysia

                                                       

Luang Phor Kron (Tok Raja) Ordained Name: Phra Wijaranayanmuni of Wat Uttamaram (Bangsaek), Kelantan. Very Affectionately known in Malaysia as "King of Pidta"

Before being ordained as a monk Tok Raja (Luang Phor kron) had been given the name "Khuan" by his parents. His father was named Chum and his mother was Kaew. His family's surname is Ratsadorncharoen. Khuan was born on a Thursday in the 12th month of Thai calendar (raem 1 kham) in the year of the Rabbit (1876) in the district of Apam in the village of Bangsaek (Malay: Repek), Pasir Mas, Kelantan. At the age of 12, his parents sent him to study at Wat Uttamaram under the direction of the then Abbot Phra Lok. As was the tradition in Kelantan at that time, Tok Raja studied Thai literacy as well as the old Cambodian script known as "Khom". Khom was important as all Buddhist texts were written in this language and mastering it was part of monastic education. Tok Raja also studied Thai-Pali incantations which were transmitted orally by his teacher. In addition, Kelantanese Thai monastic education entailed that the students assist the monks in the day to day activities of the temple.

                                                                           

Tok Raja Pidta (Non-Lotus Behind)  BE2480

As with most boys living in Kelantanese Thai tmples (dek jom), Tok Raja was ordained as a monk at the age of 21. He was ordained at Wat Uttamaram (Bangsaek) by Phra Palad Chai from Wat Mai Suwankiri (in the village of Khao Din, Tumpat) and Phra Atthikarn Phud from Wat Bangtuwasilaloi, Pengkalan Kubur. These two monks were Tok Raja's Monastic Teachers (Kammawachanusawan Ajarn). Tok Raja was ordained on 15th June, 1895. Upon ordination, Tok Raja was given with the monastic name of "Punnasuwano". Phra Khuan Punnasuwano spent the first two years of his monkhood at Wat Uttamaram (Bangsaek) in Kelantan.  He then moved to Wat Hua Pom Nai in the district of Muang in Songkhla. Here he studied Pali which at the time was the highest standard monastic education a Kelantanese Thai monk could aspire to. He studied the texts, Khamphi Mulakajayana and then progressed to a study of the Khamphi Thammabot. After having completed his studies of the two texts and having the ability to translate Pali into Thai; Tok Raja began to immerse himself in learning Buddhist meditation. He also memorized Pali incantations and was an exponent at Buddhist chanting.

                                                                               

Tok Raja (Luang Phor Kron) & His Disciples

Tok Raja studied Buddhist meditation and Pali chanting at Wat Hua Pom Nai, Songkhla for 15 years. In 1906, Wat Hua Pom Nai did not have an abbot and Tok Raja was invited to fill the position. He did so for 10 years. Tok Raja then returned to Kelantan in 1919 and was appointed Abbot of Wat Mai Suwankiri (Khao Din) which had been the temple of his Preceptor. Six years later, he was appointed as Abbot of Wat Uttamaram (Bangsaek). In 1927 Tok Raja was promoted to the monastic rank of Phra Palad by the then chief monk of Kelantan, Phra Kru Ophat Putthakhun (Pho Than Kiu) of Wat Ban Nai.

In 1933, Phra Palad Khuan (Tok Raja) was promoted to the rank of Phra Upachaya. In 1941, he took on the rank of Phra kru Wijarn and in 1945 he became "Phra Wijaranayanmuni" and the Chief Monk of Kelantan - succeeding Phra Kru Ophat Putthakun.

After returning from Songkhla, Tok Raja taught Vipassana meditation to interested practitioners. These were not formal classes but rather restricted to monks who had an interests in meditation. Tok Raja initiated the study of Buddhist history and phiosophy (nak tham) in Kelantan. Prior to that, Kelantanese monks were interested un pursuing Buddhism had to travel to Siam to study. The first "nak tham" classes in Malaya were conducted in Kedah in 1948 but spread to Kelantan a year later. These were taught by Tok Raja's deputy at Wat Uttamaram. Phra Maha Chan Kesaro (later known as Chao Khun Chan) who was to succeed Tok Raja as the next Chief Monk of Kelantan upon the former's demise. Formal "Nak Tham" exams were held at Wat Uttamamram.


                                                                           

Phayant Tok Raja (Talismatic Cloth) With Powerful Tok Raja's Yant. Consecrated by Chao Khun Mit (3rd Abbot of Wat Uttamaram (Bangsaek), Kelantan)

During his illustrious life, Tok raja built temples profusely. He initiated the construction of the ubsot (ordination hall) at Wat Uttamaram and other buildings, including the abbot's quarters at the temple. Even in his old age, the temple was a hive of building activity as new buildings were errected and old ones restored and renovated.

Tok Raja (Luang Phor Kron) had a deep knowledge of Buddhist magical incantations. He was renowned amongst both Thais and Malays for his sacred knowledge. Even non-Kelantanese were familiar with Tok Raja's sacred powers. Monks and laymen from across Malaysa would visit him regularly and he would travel across the Peninsula to visit with interested monks and laymen. In fact, just before passing away, Tok Raja had just returned from a visit to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

People who met Tok raja recalled how he was a very moral and upright person. Anyone who had come into contact with him were struck by his politeness and pleasant demeanor and thus held him in high respect. Even the Sultan of Kelantan was awed by Tok Raja and visited him when he was sick.

                                                                       

Tok Raja (Luang Phor Kron) & the Sultan of Kelantan

Tok Raja fell in in the begining of the Rainy Retreat (Phansa) Season in the year 1962. News of his illness brought a stream of well-wishers to the temple. The best doctors cared for him regularly. Despite his frail condition, Tok Raja was fully conscious of his surroundings and meditated regularly. On 19th November 1962 at the age of 88 and after having spent some 68 years in the monkhood, Tok Raja passed away. This was a mere 15 days before he was to received his ceremonial fan (phat yot) from King Bhumibol Adulyadej as part of the monk's new monastic title.

Tok Raja was and is very famous for making a certain unique Pidta amulets (i.e. like a human talismanic  figure with hands covering eyes and face) with a slight slouched. These Pidtas were usually made of latex and sap from a single and a special tree known in Thai as "Ton Riak" and also mixed with flowers and other holy materials and powders. This tree once grew out from the ground of Wat Uttamaram but after the demise of Tok Raja; one day is was set ablaze and subsequently died. The latex or sap caused extreme itchiness or skin irritation when touched or if one was near it. Even to stand under such tree could cause one discomfort  or itch.


                                                                           

Pidta Nur Wan covered with "Ton Riak" (Sap/Latex). Materials: Holy Powders, Sacred Materials, Flowers & Other Secret Ingredients. Consecrated by Chao Khun Chan (2nd Abbot), Wat Uttamaram (Bangsaek).  BE252X

                                                                                     

Phra Pidta Bangsek
(Back Picture of Phra Pidta)
Maker: Tok Raja (Luang Phor Kron), Wat Bangsek (Wat Uttamaram), Kelantan

                       Phra Pidta Bangsek

        Maker: Tok Raja (Luanh Phor Kron)

     Wat Bangsek (Wat Uttamaram), Kelantan

                              Interested?

             www.facebook.com/amuletpidta