Guru Master Of Phra Phrom (4 Face Buddha) Amulets In The Last Era~
Archan Heng (Guru Master Of Phra Phrom Amulets)
Luang Phor Doo officially called “Phra Prompunyo”, was
born on May 10th, B.E.2447, to the “Noosi” family, farmers in Uthai District,
Ayudhaya Province.
He is without
doubt probably the most popular monk amongst today's amulet collectors in
Thailand. It appears as
though he was destined to become both a successful and very famous monk. Even
the day that he was born was one of the most important days in the Buddhist
calendar, “Visakha Bucha Day”, a day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment
and death of Lord Buddha.
His parents
Mr.Put and Mrs.Puang never were to see Luang Phor Doo grow to be a young man,
as they both died before his 5th birthday. The orphaned child was raised by his
grandmother and sisters, who later sent him to Wat Pradoosong Dharma were he
was ordained a novice and educated.He remained at
the temple until the age of 21 when he was ordained a monk at Wat Sakae on may
10th BE 2468 by Luang Phor Klun, former abbot of Wat Yatikaram, Luang Phor
Chai, former abbot of Wat Klang Klongsrabua and Luang Phor Dae, former abbot of
Wat Sakae.
Like most monks
of his era, he was keen to educate himself by learning as many of the magic
sciences as possible. He learnt both Dharma and magic sciences from many senior
monks including Luang Phor Klun, Luang Phor Nueng, Luang Phor Chom, Luang Phor
Rod and Luang Phor Pao. He also traveled extensivley including many seasons spent in the jungles
of Kanchanaburi and Suphanburi. It was recorded
that at the time he was very interested in sacred tattooing, and almost every
part of his anatomy is witness to that interest. As he grew older he became to realize that these scared
markings were of no help to those in need of spiritual guidance, or indeed to
escape the eternal circle of life. As a result he concentrated on meditation,
developing his soul towards the ultimate goal of self purification and closer
to Lord Buddha, he was taught these methods by LP Klun.
Luang Phor Doo was also educated by another senior monk
of Wat Pra Yatikaram named Luang Phor Pao, who had taught him many magic
sciences. it is through him that he learnt the secrets of creating efficacious
amulets that would help protect his devotees from danger
Luang Phor Doo was very famous for his simple way of
teaching Lord Buddha’s Dharma. He would always tell an easygoing story that
could be easily understood and also help them reaching the true teachings of
Lord Buddha.One of his most
famous accounts was called “Kumarn Hoo-tum”, a story about a millionaire, who
was so mean that he would not even contribute towards the care of his son
“Kumarn Hoo-tum” who was seriously ill. Eventually his son
died of his illness but because of the mercy of Lord Buddha, he received a
powerful vision before death. This vision reminded the boy of Lord Buddha’s
mercy towards all creatures. At the moment of his death he felt an overpowering
respect for Lord Buddha, a result of which, he was reincarnated in heaven and
renamed “Mutta Khuntasi Dhepbutra”,
blessed to remain there in eternity.
“Just thinking of
Lord Buddha’s mercy can bring much virtue, and you should remind yourself often
of Lord Buddha, Dharma and Sangkha, in that way you will also find a path to
heaven ”, said Luang Phor Doo. It is also
recorded that around the year B.E.2500, Luang Phor Doo had dreamt that he ate
three stars and after he woke he thought carefully about this vision and
concluded that the three bright stars represented the Triple Gem (the Buddha,
the Dharma, and the Sangha).
Realising this, he began to recite the prayer of the
refuge in the Triple Gem. He was extremely delighted by the experience and
simultaneously reached complete confidence about holding onto the Triple Gem as
the right method that leads the core of Buddhism. Henceforth, he determined to make meditation on the the
Triple Gem (and the threefold refuge) a centrepiece of his meditation practice.
Luang Phor Doo has
always welcomed any visitor regardless of class and background and he treated
everybody equally. He never allowed his helpers to hold back guests or deny
them entry. Luang Phor Doo was aware that many of his guests came a long way to
see him to pay respect to him and to ask Dharma questions. If visitors were
kept from meeting him at their convenience, they would be very disappointed.
Luang Phor Doo showed loving kindness to his visitors and students. If they
showed interest in mediation practice he was delighted to give them support and
advice. He never grew tired of giving dharma talks to his followers.
Luang Phor Doo was not only a very patient man, but he
also embodied the complete absence of arrogance. He was well-mannered all of
his life and never treated anyone haughtily. Once Somdet Phra Buddhajarn (Seng)
of Wat Suthat Thepwararam came to see him, one of the highest dignitaries in
Thai Sangha, second only to the Supreme Patriarch, who is also perhaps better
known as “Than Chao Khun Sangiam ”. He was one lent older than Luang Phor Doo
and came to pay veneration to him. He also praised him as his teacher. When
Chao Khun Sangiam finished paying respect to Luang Phor Doo he returned the
gesture, and so they were paying respect to each other. It was a rare
occurrence in a world that is dominated by power struggles, stubbornness, and
arrogance.
From B.E.2527
Luang Phor Doo's health started to decline and he fell ill frequently because
he allowed himself too little resting time. He welcomed guests and students
from different parts of the country all the time. Even when he was seriously
ill, he insisted on continuing this as usual. The monk who took care of Luang
Phor Doo said that there were occasions when he was shivering and had to be
carried to welcome visitors. Yet, he never complained and he never made anyone
worry about him; he never even talked about his pain. Later in life he was
examined by a physician who found that he suffered from heart disease and
ordered him to rest and to seek treatment at the hospital. He refused it. At
the end of 1989 he proclaimed several times that he would soon leave his
physical body. Although he suffered intensely he maintained outward composure
through patient meditation. His mind was unaffected and serene, so people did
not notice that there was anything wrong with him.
On Tuesday, 16th January 1990 in the afternoon he talked
to one of his students who was a Thai air force officer. During conversation
his face glowed and he said: “I will no longer feel pain.” In the night of that
day many followers came to visit him. Luang Phor Doo said: “there are no parts
of my body that don't feel pain,” and he confirmed “I am leaving.” In his last
words to his followers, he warned them not to be careless and not to neglect
the dharma. He compared meditation practice to boxing: “Dharma practise is like
a boxer in the ring. You have to start punching right away and don't fool
around.” After that he retired to his kuti where he died peacefully on
Wednesday, 17th January 1990 at the age of 85. On 20th April 1991 royal a
funeral service was arranged in his honour. Luang Phor Doo spent 65 years of
his life in robes. Though he is gone, his teaching lives on in the hearts and
minds of his students.
Some Photohraphs Of LP Doo's Amulets -
and many more...
Other Sources Of Powerful Phra Phrom Amuets -
LP Saithong (Passed away April 2014)
LP Perm, Wat Pom Kaew
LP Diu
Thanks To All Online Sources!!