Luang Pu Nak (Luang Phor Nak) of Wat Rakang Kositaram — The Collector of Sacred Legacy
Wat Rakang Kositaram, Bangkok • B.E. 2427 – B.E. 2514
Luang Pu Nak, born on August 1, B.E. 2427 (1884) in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, was the son of Mr. Pom and Mrs. Suan Marurngsit. From a young age, he displayed discipline, intellect, and compassion. He first ordained as a novice at Wat Bung in his hometown. At 21, in B.E. 2448, he entered full ordination as a Buddhist monk at Wat Rakang Kositaram, Bangkok, where he would remain for the rest of his long and purposeful life.
During his early years at Wat Rakang, Luang Pu Nak became deeply concerned by a growing misconception among Thai Buddhists — that damaged or broken sacred objects, such as Phra Somdej, shrines, or bowls, were no longer auspicious and should not be kept at home. Consequently, many lay devotees returned these sacred objects to the temples, where they were often discarded or forgotten. Saddened by this loss, Luang Pu Nak began collecting the fragments, shards, and remnants of old amulets, protecting them as part of Buddhist heritage.
Over the years, he gathered countless pieces of ancient sacred materials—powders from Phra Somdej, remnants of temple relics, and fragments of amulets made by earlier great masters. He believed that the blessings within these relics remained intact, regardless of physical damage, and that their sanctity endured through time. Out of reverence for the Buddha and for his predecessors, he carefully preserved these materials, intending that none should go to waste.
Eventually, guided by his deep respect for Somdej Phra Buddhacharn (Toh Prommarangsi), the great patriarch of Wat Rakang, Luang Pu Nak began recasting new amulets using these sacred remnants. Though he was born after Somdej Toh’s passing, he was considered a spiritual successor—having studied Somdej Toh’s ancient manuscripts and incantations related to the creation and consecration of Phra Somdej. Through text, faith, and practice, he became an inheritor of that sacred lineage.
Between B.E. 2485 and B.E. 2495, Luang Pu Nak produced several batches of Phra Somdej Wat Rakang amulets using the collected fragments of holy materials. These amulets became legendary for their efficacy in Metta (loving-kindness), Klaew Klaad (protection from danger), and Chok Larp (prosperity). Their demand spread throughout Thailand and abroad, drawing both faithful devotees and serious collectors. Many have compared his amulets’ spiritual potency to those of Somdej Toh himself.
Luang Pu Nak was known not for grandeur but for quiet mastery. During consecration ceremonies, witnesses reported a cold, bright aura emanating from his body, enveloping the amulets before him—a sign of deep concentration and spiritual power. His humility, discipline, and gentle wisdom made him one of the most respected figures among post–World War II Buddhist masters, alongside Luang Phor Chong of Wat Natang Nok, Luang Phor Jaad of Wat Bang Krabao, and others.
On January 15, B.E. 2514 (1971), at the age of 87, Luang Pu Nak passed away peacefully at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. His 66-year monastic career left an indelible mark on Thai Buddhism. Today, his Phra Somdej Wat Rakang (B.E. 2485–2495) series remains among the most sought-after amulets in Thailand—revered not only for their beauty and sacred power but for the vision of a monk who turned loss into renewal, preserving the sacred legacy for generations to come.