Biography
Early Life
Phra Kru Wichit Nawakaro Kosol (Somjit Cittakutto), or Kru Ba Somjit, was born Somjit Wongsaensri on Thursday, March 25, 1941, corresponding to the 3rd waxing moon of the 4th lunar month in the Year of the Goat. He was born in Moo 7, Huai Or Subdistrict, Long District, Phrae Province. His parents were Mr. Chuen and Mrs. Kammool Wongsaensri. He had two siblings:
- Mr. Somkid Wongsaensri
- Phra Kru Wichit Nawakaro Kosol
- Mr. Somthong Wongsaensri
Kruba Somjit was descended from Chao Noi Karinta, one of the sons of Phraya Chai Chanachumphu, the 17th ruler of Long, in the lineage of Chao Chang Pan. He was also the younger brother of Phraya Khantasimamalohakij, the 18th ruler of Long.
Novice and Monk Ordination
After completing his third year of lower secondary education, around three years later, he entered monastic life and was ordained as a novice on March 19, 1962, at Wat Si Don Kum, Huai Or Subdistrict, Long District, Phrae Province. Phra Kru Khemmatano Khun (Kru Ba Kaew), who was then the District Ecclesiastical Head of Long, served as his preceptor.
He was ordained as a monk on March 14, 1963, at Wat Si Don Kum. After his ordination, he used the knowledge he gained from studying at Phiriyalai School, a boys' provincial school in Phrae, to develop the community.
Career
Ecclesiastical Governance
- 1963: Appointed by the Ecclesiastical Head of Long District to restore Wat Salaeng
- 1984: Appointed as the abbot of Wat Salaeng
- 1985: Appointed as the Ecclesiastical Head of Huai Or Subdistrict, Zone 1, and Secretary to the Ecclesiastical Head of Long District
Kruba Somjit placed great importance on the education of monks, novices, and youth. He had been a Dhamma teacher since 1963, established a Dhamma school, and a Sunday Buddhist school at Wat Salaeng. He also founded an educational foundation to provide scholarships to underprivileged students with good academic performance annually.
Restoration of Wat Salaeng
Kruba Somjit was appointed by the Ecclesiastical Head of Long District to restore Wat Salaeng, which was initially in a dilapidated state and considered a place of little value. Through his efforts, Wat Salaeng became an important temple in terms of Lanna culture and art in Phrae Province. Due to his successful work, he was appointed as the abbot of Wat Salaeng in 1984 and in 1985 as well. Behind the temple (Doi Pong Muang) there are large Buddha statues, a herb garden, and numerous monastic buildings. Wat Salaeng has thus become both a significant Buddhist site and a learning center in Phrae Province. [2]
Teaching Dhamma and Public Works
Since 1963, Kruba Somjit traveled to teach and practice Dhamma in Long District, other districts, and provinces. He practiced Vipassana meditation following the teachings of Ajahn Mun, guided by Vipassana teachers, and became highly skilled.
Additionally, he supported various temples in Phrae Province, such as constructing a stupa and a statue of Kruba Maha Thera at Wat Sung Men, raising funds for Wat Si Dok to build a new ubosot, constructing Naga stairs at Wat Phra That Khao Noi, Nan Province, building a vihara at Wat Tao Pha Mok, restoring the Buddha footprint at Wat Bang Sanuk, Wang Chin District, constructing a stupa for the Karen village, and building ubosots at Wat Mae Pan, Wat Saeng Sok, Wat Don Chai, Wat Sri Sutharam, and Wat Pak Jok in Phrae Province, as well as the ubosot at Wat Klang in Lampang Province.
Sacred Amulets
He also created sacred amulets on various occasions for devotees to sponsor and worship, with proceeds going towards public welfare projects. Each batch of Kruba Somjit's amulets is highly popular among amulet collectors and enthusiasts. Examples include jade beads, jade Buddha pendants, jade Guan Yin pendants, popular Takrut amulets, ghost-repelling Takrut amulets, Lanna-style silver coins, and powder amulets in the likeness of Kruba Somjit.
The consecration ceremonies for Kruba Somjit's amulets often included renowned monastic teachers from Northern Thailand, such as Khruba Brahmachak from Wat Phra Phutthabat Tak Pha, Khruba Inthajak Raksa from Wat Khuan Kham Lue, Long District, Phrae Province, and Luang Pho Ku from Wat Sri Chum, Phrae Province. These collaborations contributed to the popularity of Kru Ba Somjit's amulets, known for their exceptional qualities such as Metta Maha Niyom, Maha ud, and protection from danger, including the power to subdue malevolent forces. [3]
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