Luang Phor Pae Khemangkaro

Luang Phor Pae
Title	Phra Thep Phra Khun, Phra Thammamuni
Personal life
Born	Pae (1905-01-01)1 January 1905 Sing Buri Province, Siam
Died	10 February 1999(1999-02-10) (aged 94) Sing Buri Province, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Education	Parian Dhamma 4th Level
Other names	หลวงพ่อแพ เขมังกโร
Occupation	Buddhist monk
Religious life
Religion	Buddhism
School	Theravāda
Lineage	Mahānikāya
Dharma names	Khemangkaro (เขมังกโร)
Ordination	April 21, 1926
Senior posting
Based in	Wat Pikulthong, Sing Buri

Phra Thammamuni (birth name: Pae Jaimankong; dharma name: Khemangkaro) was a renowned Thai Buddhist monk, meditation master ( Geji Ajahn ), and member of the Mahanikaya. He served as the abbot of Wat Phikulthong and as the Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Sing Buri.

Biography

Luang Phor Pae was born on Monday, January 1, 1905, in Ban Suan Kluai, Thon Samor Subdistrict, Tha Chang District, Sing Buri Province. He was the son of Mr. Thian and Mrs. Nai Jaimankong. His mother died when he was 8 months old, and he was adopted by Mr. Bun and Mrs. Phian Khamwiboon.

At age 11, he studied Khmer script under Phra Ajahn Som at Wat Chana Songkhram. At age 16, he returned to Sing Buri to ordain as a novice at Wat Phikulthong, then resumed his studies at Wat Chana Songkhram, where he passed the Parian Dhamma 4th Level. However, eye inflammation from overstudying forced him to turn to meditation practice at Wat Pho.

He was fully ordained as a monk on April 21, 1926. His preceptor was Phra Mongkhonthipmuni (Mui Pandito), abbot of Wat Chakkrawat Ratchawat, with Phra Khru Sitthidet of Wat Chana Songkhram as his chanting teacher, and Abbot On of Wat Champathong as his sponsor. He received the dharma name "Khemangkaro" and returned to Wat Chana Songkhram for his early monkhood. ^[1]

In 1931, he accepted an invitation to become the abbot of Wat Phikulthong, after the previous abbot disrobed. During his tenure, he became famous for creating many series of Thai Buddha amulet and for his extensive public works, including building hospitals, police stations, health centers, schools, and bridges across the Chao Phraya River. ^[2]

Luang Phor Pae died on February 10, 1999, at the age of 94 years, 40 days.

Monastic titles

• 1941: Became Phra Khru Sanyabat with the title Phra Khru Sripromsophit ^[3]
• 1972: Elevated to Special Class Phra Khru Sanyabat
• 1978: Promoted to Phra Racha Khana with the title Phra Sunthorn Thammaphani ^[4]
• 1987: Promoted to Phra Racha Khana of Raj Class with the title Phra Ratchasinghanacharn Pisanmongkolkit Mahakhanissara Bovornsangharam Kamavasi ^[5]
• 1992: On the occasion of Queen Sirikit’s 60th birthday, elevated to Thera Class as Phra Thepsinghaburacharn Phaisalsitthimongkol Wimolsasanakitjatorn Thammikhanissara Bovornsangharam Kamavasi ^[6]
• 1996: During the Golden Jubilee of King Rama IX, elevated to Phra Racha Khana Thammaclass as Phra Thammamuni Sutthasilacharn Phaisanprachanart Ophasasanakitjatorn Mahakhanissara Bovornsangharam Kamavasi ^[7]

References

1. Ram Watcharapradit (14 January 2019). "Luang Phor Pae of Wat Phikulthong: Authentic Thai Amulets". Khaosod . Retrieved 2020-11-13.
2. Ram Watcharapradit (15 April 2020). "Luang Phor Pae of Wat Phikulthong: The Deity of the Noi River Basin, a Compassionate Ariya Monk of Sing Buri". Siam Rath . Retrieved 2020-11-13.
3. "Royal Grant of Ecclesiastical Titles" (PDF). Royal Gazette. 58 (0 Ngor): 501. 11 March 1941. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
4. "Royal Grant of Ecclesiastical Titles" (PDF). Royal Gazette. 97 (60 Ngor (Special Issue)): 11. 16 April 1980. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
5. "Royal Grant of Ecclesiastical Titles" (PDF). Royal Gazette. 104 (253 Ngor (Special Issue)): 8. 5 December 1987. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
6. "Royal Grant of Ecclesiastical Titles" (PDF). Royal Gazette. 109 (101 Ngor (Special Issue)): 4. 12 August 1992. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
7. "Royal Grant of Ecclesiastical Titles" (PDF). Royal Gazette. 113 (10 Khor): 6. 7 June 1996. Retrieved 2020-11-13.