CHAO KHUN CHAN, WAT UTTAMARAM, WAT BANGSAEK (WAT UTTAMARAM), KELANTAN - AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

CHAO KHUN CHAN  2ND ABBOT - AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Wat Uttamaram (Wat Bangsaek), Kelantan

                                                                         

Chao Khun Chan (2nd Abbot) of Wat Uttamaram (Wat Bangsaek), Kelantan
(Disciple & Successor of Legendary Tok Raja (Luang Phor Kron)

Roop Lor (Image) Chan Khun Chan  1st Batch  Year: BE2530

Maker: Chao Khun Chan, Wat Uttamaram (Wat Bangsaek), Kelantan

Chao Khun Chan (Phor Than Chan) was born on the 15th May, 1909 in the village of Teresek, Repek, Pasir Mas, Kelantan. He was the 3rd son in a family of 3 boys and four girls of the late Mr. Suk Pisngam and Madam Thiak.


He received his formal Buddhist religious education from other senior monks in the village monastery when he was 15 years old. The monks there taught him to read and write in the Khom (Ancient Cambodian) and Thai languages. At that time, there was no schools which taught and conduct classes in the Malay language. With his determination, self reliant, attitude, diligent and hard work, he mastered the Malay language within such a short period of time. By the time, he reached the age of 20, he also mastered the Pali language (the Theravada Buddhist language) and was very proficient and had a good command. Thus not only was he able to recite but he was also able to write and translate the Patimokkha (Discipline Code of the Sangha), Sutras and etc from the Pali Dhamma Canon.

Taolit Chao Khun Chan  1stBatch BE2530  
Maker: Chao Khun Chan, Wat Uttamaram (Wat Bangsaek), Kelantan


Chao Khun Chan ordained as a monk at the age of 22 on 7th July, 1931 at Wat Uttamaram (Wat Bangsaek) in a ceremony solemnised by the well known Abbot Phra Kru Ophasputtakkhun (Kiew) of Wat Kampung Dalam Tumpat, Kelantan. After the ordination, he was given the name "Phra Chao Kesaro".

He knew that the teachings of Buddhism was very limited in Malaysia, he then decided to travel to Thailand to pursue further in the Buddhist Teachings and Dhamma. He then went to Thailand and enrolled himself at the Buddhist Institute of Thailand where he studied from 1934 to 1949. In this institute he was taught by two teachers who were also his mentors. They are Phra Kru Pipat Samanakic and Phra Kru Pibul Samanawat. Upon the completion of his  studies n 1949, he gain furthered his studies in the prestigious Buddhist College of Wat Muclintawapi Viahara located at Nongcik in Pattani Province. Later this reputable college was upgraded into a University for Buddhist Studies, at this noble university, Chao Khun Chan studied Pali, Tripitaka, Philosophy and other Buddhist subjects to equip himself to become a Buddhist teacher and to carry out the Buddhist Missionary work (Dhammadutta). Upon graduation from this prestigious university, he was honored with the title and rank of "Maha".

In the year 1962, he was appointed as the abbot of Wat Uttamaram (Wat Bangsaek) succeeding Tok Raja (Luang Phor Kron) as the 2nd Abbot.  In the year 1963, he was conferred tht ecclesiastical title of Phra Vicaranayanmuni Nayaka Maha Thera by the Buddhist Sangha Council of Thailand. Due to his enormous and invaluable contributions and services to the scoiety of Buddhist teachings in the State of Kelantan, he was elected to be Lord Abbot of Kelantan by the Royal Highness, the Sultan of Kelantan.

On 30th November, 1992 at 6.45am, Chao Khun Chan passed away peacefully at the age of 84. Even though his physical body may have perished but his immense, immeasurable, invaluable and ever lasting meritorious deeds and his untiring dedication and service to Buddhism, to the devotees in Malaysia and Thailand and to all sentient beings will always be remembered deep in the devotees' hearts...Sadhu..Sadhu..Sadhu...

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