Luang Pho Pae, Wat Phikun Thong, the Deity of the Noi River Basin: A Compassionate Arahant of Singburi
'Phra Thammamuni,' or known as Luang Pho Pae Khemangkaro, the former abbot of Wat Phikun Thong, made immense contributions to the people of Singburi, earning him the title of "Deity of the Noi River Basin." Although he passed away almost 20 years ago, he is still remembered fondly by the elderly, young and old, as well as by his disciples, both Thai and foreign, who deeply respect and revere him. He is also a highly sought-after figure among collectors of amulets and coins. His numerous accomplishments and the spiritual power of his amulets have made them a testament to his enduring virtues, and they remain highly prized and collected. Luang Pho Pae Khemangkaro was a native of Singburi. Born on Monday, January 1, 1905, at Ban Suan Kluay, Tambon Phikun Thong, Amphoe Tha Chang, his parents were Mr. Thien and Mrs. Nai Chaimankong. His mother passed away when he was only 8 months old, so his father gave him to be adopted by Mr. Boon and Mrs. Phian Khamwibul, who were his aunts and uncles. At the age of 11, his adoptive parents took young Pae Khamwibul to the school of Ajarn Pom to study according to the traditional method. He later continued his studies at Wat Chanasongkhram in Bangkok for a period, before returning to his birthplace to be ordained as a novice monk at Wat Phikun Thong, with Phra Athikarn Phan Chanthasaro, the abbot of Wat Phikun Thong, as his preceptor. He then returned to Wat Chanasongkhram and passed the Parian Tham 3 examination while still a novice monk. When he reached the age of ordination, he returned to Wat Phikun Thong to be ordained as a monk, with Phra Mongkolthip Muni as his preceptor. The abbot of Wat Chakrawat Rachawas, Bangkok, served as his preceptor; Phra Khru Sitthidet of Wat Chanasongkhram served as his karma-vachariya; and Phra Athikan On of Wat Champathong served as his anusasana-acharya. He received the monastic name "Khemangkaro" and returned to reside at Wat Chanasongkhram, where he studied advanced Buddhist scriptures until he attained the rank of Phra Maha Pae (a high level of Buddhist scholarship). After that, his eyes suffered severely, forcing him to discontinue his studies in Buddhist scriptures. However, being a studious person, he turned to studying Samatha and Vipassana meditation at the school of Phra Khru Bhavana at Wat Chetuphon. He also became a disciple of Somdej Phra Wanarat (Heng Khemachari) of Wat Mahathat. Later, he learned that in Bang Rachan District there was a highly skilled and revered monk named Luang Pho Sri, the abbot of Wat Phra Prang. He therefore traveled to become a disciple and was greatly favored by his teacher. In 1930, when Abbot Yod of Wat Phikun Thong resigned, the villagers jointly invited Luang Pho Pae to take over as abbot in 1931. He then returned to his birthplace to govern Wat Phikun Thong, at the age of only 26. At that time, Wat Phikun Thong was in a state of disrepair. He consulted with Luang Pho Sri, his teacher, and with the merit of these two revered monks, he was able to quickly renovate and construct permanent structures within Wat Phikun Thong, including the main chapel, the sermon hall, the prayer hall, the assembly hall, the monks' quarters, the scripture hall, the refectory, the meditation hall, the Dharma hall, and the crematorium, among others. In addition, he also brought many public benefits to the local area, including a hospital, the district office, a police station, a health center, a public school, and a bridge across the Chao Phraya River. Including the patient buildings of Singburi Hospital that stand as memorials to this day: the Luang Pho Pae 80th Anniversary Building, the Luang Pho Pae 86th Anniversary Building (X-ray Building), the Luang Pho Pae 90th Anniversary Building, and the Luang Pho Pae Khemangkaro Building, which stand prominently within Singburi Hospital. Wat Phikun Thong, Singburi Province. Luang Pho Pae was widely revered by devotees and had numerous disciples. He received several ecclesiastical titles, his final being Phra Raja Khana ชั้นธรรม (Phra Ratchakhana ชั้นธรรม - a high-ranking monastic title) as Phra Tham Munee. He passed away on February 10, 1999, at the age of 94, having served for 73 years. Currently, Luang Pho Pae's remains are enshrined at Wat Phikun Thong for devotees and Buddhists to pay homage. Luang Pho Pae began creating amulets in 1939, and due to his faith in Somdej Phra Phutthacharn (To Phromrangsi), he created "Phra Somdej" amulets, largely following Somdej To's style. In total, his amulets comprise no fewer than 300 different types, made from both powder and metal. Examples include Phra Somdej, Phra Nang Phaya, Phra Rod, Phra Pidta, Phra Leela Thung Setthi, Phra Siwali, Phra Sangkatchai, Phra Khun Phaen, powder amulets depicting his likeness, Nang Kwak, etc. He didn't prioritize aesthetics over sacredness, meticulously consecrating them to imbue them with powerful protective qualities, warding off danger, bestowing loving-kindness, and bringing abundant wealth and prosperity. However, for the amulets to experience their spiritual benefits, those who use them must strictly observe the Five Precepts. (Somdej Phra Pae Phan, 2510 BE, front and back)