Luang Phor Phat (Lp Phat) Wat Phatthanaram

 

Luang Phor Phat Naratho, the former abbot of Wat Phatthanaram in Mueang District, Surat Thani Province, was a renowned monk famed for his magical knowledge in Surat Thani. He was born into the Phatthanaphong family on Wednesday, the 6th of June, B.E. 2405, at Ban Don Market in Mueang District, Surat Thani Province.

As a youth, he studied under Phra Ajahn Phong of Wat Phra Yok, learning according to the knowledge and subject matter appropriate to his age and his teacher’s guidance.

Upon reaching adolescence, he married Nang Lamom. Later, his wife became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter, but tragically passed away shortly after childbirth. This loss caused him great sorrow and prompted him to renounce worldly life and enter the monkhood.

At the age of 25, in B.E. 2432, he was ordained as a monk at the Ubosot of Wat Phra Yok. His preceptor was Phra Khru Suwanrangsi (Mee), the abbot of Kanchanadit District and Wat Pho, Ban Talat Bon Subdistrict (as recorded in the Chumphon Province report of B.E. 2419). Luang Phor Klom of Wat Pho served as the ordination and sermon preceptor, and Luang Phor Kham of Wat Bang Bai Mai was also his preceptor and sermon preceptor. He received the monastic title “Narato.”

Luang Phor Phat remained at Wat Phra Yok for several years. His life in the saffron robes brought him peace, tranquility, and spiritual progress, while also allowing him to serve Buddhism in many ways. He was a Sangha leader, overseeing the conduct of monks and managing various religious activities.

In addition to religious duties, Luang Phor Phat promoted education, establishing the first school in Kanchanadit around B.E. 2440. He served as the preceptor and abbot of Ban Don District for about 4–5 years. However, due to his detachment from titles and positions, he resigned from both the abbotship of Mueang District (formerly Ban Don District, Mueang Chaiya) and his role as preceptor to embark on a pilgrimage.

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Magical Knowledge and Teachers

Luang Phor Phat studied magic and sacred sciences from several teachers, including:

• Phra Khru Suwanrangsi, his ordination preceptor

• Luang Phor Klom, his sermon preceptor

• Luang Phor Kham, also a sermon preceptor

• A wandering monk known as Phra Ajahn Suk, from Wat Khao Hua Lamphu, Khao Phra Bat, Hua Sai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

From Phra Ajahn Suk, he learned Vipassana meditation, higher meditative practices, and various magical arts—such as inscribing sacred yantras on silver and gold plates, creating takruds, and empowering yantra cloths.

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Sacred Objects

During his lifetime, Luang Phor Phat created several sacred objects, including:

• Kasin Buddha amulets made from baked clay mixed with sacred powders and herbs

• Kasin coins, which remain highly popular among collectors and devotees

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Final Years

Towards the end of his life, Luang Phor Phat entrusted the administration of the temple to his younger brother, Luang Phor Chiew Siri Suwanno. He then entered seclusion, residing in the corpse-resting pavilion within the temple cemetery, dedicating most of his time to Dhamma practice and deep meditation.

On July 11, B.E. 2485, Luang Phor Phat meditated peacefully from early evening until around 8:43 a.m., when he passed away in meditation posture, to the great sorrow of his disciples, relatives, and the Buddhist community.

Remarkably, 6–7 years after his passing, his body had not decayed, further affirming his spiritual attainments and inspiring deep reverence among followers.