History of Luang Phor To
Luang Pho To, situated at Wat Lak Si Rat Samoson, is a Buddha image portrayed in the Maravichai posture. It boasts a lap width of 81 inches and a height of 99 inches. The Buddha image is intricately carved from laterite (red sandstone) and is coated with cement, showcasing the artistic style of the U Thong period. The face of the Buddha is round and exudes a gentle smile. The base of the Buddha image, known as the Mauli Buddha, resembles a lotus petal, featuring a flame at the pointed end. In the middle, there is the Unalom symbol, while the Phra Sok Khoom beads have a pointed tip and form a spiral. The Buddha's arms extend to his chest, showcasing a large, elegant, and proportionate figure. Phra Phlao represents a normal form of meditation, with his right hand resting on his forehead and his left hand placed face up on his thigh. This pose is commonly referred to as "defeating Mara, Maravichai." The body is proportionate and adorned with gold leaf, signifying an ancient and sacred Buddha image with immense merit. It is revered and worshipped by both Chinese and Thai communities in Samut Sakhon Province and neighboring areas. People from various places visit to pay homage and seek blessings from Luang Pho To on a daily basis. Particularly during the annual closing ceremony dedicated to seeking blessings from Luang Pho To, individuals from far and wide gather to participate. The entire body of Luang Pho To is adorned with gold leaf, a testament to the deep faith of Buddhists.
Background
Luang Pho To does not have definitive evidence regarding its creation. However, it is believed, based on the Buddha's characteristics, to be an ancient Buddha image dating back to the time when Ayutthaya was the capital. Originally, Luang Pho To was located in Samut Songkhram Province and was part of an abandoned temple. Over time, the temple collapsed into the Mae Klong River, leaving Luang Pho To exposed to the sun, with only a small area affected by rain. Due to the merit and divine protection bestowed upon Luang Pho To, Luang Phor Faeng (the second abbot of Wat Lak Si) was inspired to request the image from the government. After receiving permission, Luang Pho To was temporarily enshrined at Wat Don Manora. At the time of transfer, Luang Pho To was in a severely deteriorated condition, but no renovations were carried out. Later, the people of Lak Si, led by Luang Phor Faeng, prayed for Luang Pho To's transfer to Wat Lak Si. Luang Pho To was placed in front of the temple along Damnoen Saduak Canal and initially protected by a thatched structure from sun and rain. Subsequently, the damaged parts of the image were restored to perfect condition, and Luang Pho To was permanently enshrined as the sacred Buddha image at Wat Lak Si Rat Samoson.
History of Temple Construction
Since Luang Pho To's permanent enshrinement at Wat Lak Si, the temple has seen the construction of four temples for alms:
1. The first temple was a thatched wooden structure, the initial construction for Luang Phor Faeng, built by him and his devoted relatives. Unfortunately, the area occupied by this temple has since disappeared into the canal.
2. The second temple was a wooden structure with a cement tile roof and a wooden ceiling, painted blue on the interior. This temple was erected adjacent to the original one, aligning in the same direction. Lue Liang Peng, the owner of the Leopard-brand drug store, built it due to his prosperous medicine-making business, initially supported by Luang Phor To. The base was constructed simply, using bricks from the ground area, level with the temple floor, and plastered to make Luang Por sit at the same level.
The third temple faced an unfortunate incident around 1962, just a few days before the annual event. The roof of the second temple collapsed due to strong winds combined with its aging condition and heavy rainfall that night. On that very night, the owner of the wood shop, who was in Laksam, had a dream where Luang Pho To communicated to him, urging him to restore the temple. The next morning, he hastened to Wat Lak Si, witnessed the collapsed temple of Luang Phor, and without hesitation, paid respects to the present Abbot, Luang Phor Chao. He shared his dream and offered to donate all the construction materials. Phrakhru Phiphat Sakhontham then appointed Mr. Chang Bua Wasuki as the construction supervisor. They demolished the old temple and proceeded to construct a new one to shelter Luang Pho To, ensuring no movement of the sacred statue. The new temple was built in a traditional Thai style, as a wooden structure with two wings, broader than the original temple but maintaining the same height.
The fourth temple, led by Phrakru Phiphat Sakhon Tham, the current Abbot, had a longstanding aspiration to create a permanent and exquisite temple. This was a gesture of gratitude and an offering to Luang Pho To, consistent with the principle of expressing gratitude. Recognizing Luang Pho To's significance as a prominent entity of the temple that had brought prosperity to Wat Lak Si over the years, the decision to construct a substantial and majestic temple was made. Coinciding with the conclusion of the year 1986, Phrakru Phiphat Sakhontham, the abbot, fell ill and required multiple hospital admissions and treatments at Phya Thai Hospital. During his illness, his younger brother, Mr. Chaiwan Kasetsuwan, had a dream in which Luang Phor To conveyed that Phrakhru Pipat Sakhon Tham would recover well if a new condition was established. Learning of this dream from his younger brother and already having the idea to recreate the temple to its original grandeur, Phrakru Phiphat initiated the plan. With faith in the sanctity and miracles associated with Luang Pho To, he was supported by the Sangha, the committee, and the faithful devotees of Luang Pho To, uniting to commence the construction of the new temple, despite the lack of sufficient funds. Their belief in the holiness and miraculous power of Luang Pho To propelled them to move forward with this ambitious project.
Luang Phor To was believed to assist in accomplishing the desired project, and indeed it did. During the foundation stone laying ceremony on May 11, 1987, at 8:30 a.m., Phrakhru Sunthararamwathi, the Abbot of Ban Phaeo District, presided over the ceremony. Following this event, numerous individuals generously donated wealth, inspired by the project. Additionally, Luang Pho To had already inspired people to donate a considerable amount of gold, which was returned to the temple. Phrakru Phiphat Sakhontham utilized this gold to create the golden powder amulet of Luang Pho To, featuring a unique design. Starting from March 24, 1989, people could worship this amulet, providing the temple with income to finance the construction until the project was successfully completed.
Incidentally, on January 16, 1988, at 9:09 AM, Phrakru Phiphat Sakhontham, accompanied by the public, conducted a ceremony to invite Luang Pho To to be enshrined in the new temple, which was not yet fully finished but was usable inside. Passersby would notice Luang Phor To standing tall atop the Chukchi base, resembling a throne, under a 5-tiered golden tier, flanked by majestic apostles on the right and left. This temple is likely to stand as the last, for once the construction is complete, it will be enduring and aesthetically pleasing, destined to remain with Luang Pho To for eternity.