Phra Samut Wachirasophon (Luang Pho Itthi Bhaddacaro)

Following Luang Pho Nuang, the venerable teacher Itthi (Bhaddacaro), a disciple of Luang Pho Nuang, ascended to the position of abbot at the age of only 32, with 12 vassa (rains-retreats), through two rounds of electoral voting in which the devotees of Wat Chulamanee overwhelmingly lent their support on both occasions. He was appointed abbot by the ecclesiastical head of Samut Songkhram Province on 14 January B.E. 2532 (1989).

Birth and Origins

• Lay name: Somphot (Itthi) Amonratanabodi

• Date of birth: 1 August B.E. 2499 (1956), the Year of the Monkey (the government birth register states 1 August B.E. 2500 = 1957)

• Parents: his father Mr Phot Noima and his mother Mrs Pranom Haprasan

• Hometown: house number 78, Amphawa Subdistrict, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province

Novice and Higher Ordination

• Novice ordination: 14 June B.E. 2514 at Wat Bang Kaphom, with Phra Khru Kowitsamutkhun (Luang Pho Nuang) of Wat Chulamanee as preceptor

• Higher ordination: 17 June B.E. 2520 at Wat Chulamanee, with Phra Khru Kowitsamutkhun (Luang Pho Nuang) as preceptor, Phra Khru Samut Bannawat (Suwan Kesaro) of Wat Charoen Sukharam Worawihan as kammavācācariya, and Phra Khru Samut Sarasophon (Ansawai Buddhasaro) of Wat Bang Kaphom as anusāvanācariya

Educational Qualifications and Special Expertise

• B.E. 2512 — completed Grade 4 of primary school at Municipal School 1, Wat Nang Wang

• B.E. 2521 — passed the advanced (Ek) level of Dhamma studies at the monastic school of Wat Chulamanee

• B.E. 2551 — honorary Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Phetchaburi Rajabhat University

• B.E. 2559 — honorary Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies (Social Work), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

• B.E. 2567 — honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences for Development, Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University

He is also skilled in reading and writing the Khom script and Pali, and is expert in construction and restoration works (nawakam).

Ecclesiastical Administration

• B.E. 2532 — appointed abbot of Wat Chulamanee

• B.E. 2533 — appointed ordination-proclamation teacher (kammavācācariya)

• B.E. 2537 — appointed preceptor

• B.E. 2561 — appointed ecclesiastical head of Amphawa Subdistrict, Zone 1

• B.E. 2563 — appointed ecclesiastical head of Bang Chang Subdistrict (following a redrawing of the Sangha's administrative boundaries)

• B.E. 2565 — appointed ecclesiastical head of Amphawa District

• B.E. 2567 — appointed advisor to the ecclesiastical head of Region 15

Ecclesiastical Ranks and Titles

• B.E. 2535 — appointed an ecclesiastical attendant (thānānukrama) title of Phra Wisutthathibodi (Bhaddacari) of Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan (whose final rank was Somdet Phra Phutthakosachan), as "Phra Khru Winaithon Somphot Bhaddacaro", on 5 December B.E. 2535

• B.E. 2539 — appointed an ecclesiastical attendant (thānānukrama) title of Phra Thammakittiwong (Suratecho) of Wat Ratcha-orasaram Ratchaworawihan (later elevated to Phra Phrom Wachirapanyachan), as "Phra Khru Palat Kittimongkhonwat (Somphot Bhaddacaro)", on 5 December B.E. 2539

• B.E. 2540 — granted the royally-conferred Phra Khru rank, equivalent to an assistant abbot of a royal monastery, first class, under the conferred ecclesiastical title "Phra Khru Sophitwiriyaphon" on 5 December B.E. 2540, receiving the royal letter of appointment, ceremonial fan and triple robe at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall, the Grand Palace, on the same day

• B.E. 2545 — granted promotion to the royally-conferred Phra Khru rank, equivalent to an assistant abbot of a royal monastery, special class, under the same conferred ecclesiastical title, on 5 December B.E. 2545

• B.E. 2567 — granted the rank of an ordinary-grade ecclesiastical dignitary (Phra Rachakhana) of the meditation (vipassanā) branch, under the conferred ecclesiastical title "Phra Samut Wachirasophon Wi." on 6 June B.E. 2567, receiving the royal letter of appointment, ceremonial fan and triple robe at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall, the Grand Palace, on 28 July B.E. 2567 (2024)

Invited to Chant the Paritta and Receive the Royally Bestowed Triple Robe at Sukhothai Palace

A historic photograph of Luang Pho Itthi Bhaddacāro, invited to chant the Paritta blessings and to receive the offering of the triple robe (traiciwon) at Sukhothai Palace, the robe being bestowed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X), at the time still holding the title of Somdet Phra Boromma Orasathirat Chao Fa Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman, the Crown Prince of Siam. On this occasion he also presented a figure of Tao Wessuwan and Tao Wessuwan sacred amulets in royal offering.

Works Carried On

Luang Pho Itthi's first undertaking was to take 30 million baht to establish the Luang Pho Nuang Kowitho Foundation, so that its proceeds could support the monks, develop the temple, and assist public charities as appropriate. He then carried on to completion the unfinished work of building Luang Pho Nuang's ubosot — laying the jade-stone flooring, creating the window panels of lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and painting the murals (read more on the "Ubosot and Art" page).

The Origin of the Figure of Tao Wessuwan

It is also told that Luang Pho Itthi once had a vision of Tao Wessuwan taking him to behold the realm of Yama (the underworld). He therefore made a resolve that, upon his return to the human world, he would erect an image of Tao Wessuwan in the temple — the origin of the figure of Tao Wessuwan at Wat Chulamanee, which later became a flagship of faith to which people stream to this day to pay homage and ask for blessings (read more on the "Tao Wessuwan" page).

Works Throughout His Tenure as Abbot (B.E. 2532–2567)

Over more than 35 years since his appointment as abbot of Wat Chulamanee, Luang Pho Itthi has continually returned the offerings of the faithful to the Buddhist religion and to society. The temple has compiled a record of these works in the document "Collected Works since Becoming Abbot, B.E. 2532 to 2567", divided into five areas, summarised below (all figures are for items for which records were kept).

Monastic Education

• B.E. 2532–present — head of the Pariyatti-dhamma (monastic studies) school of Wat Chulamanee

• B.E. 2532–present — examination committee member of the national Dhamma examinations for Amphawa District, and patron-committee member for the examinations of Samut Songkhram Province

• B.E. 2542–present — vice-chairman of the council of Pariyatti-dhamma teachers, Amphawa District

• B.E. 2543–present — committee member of the national examinations, Dhamma and Pali divisions

• B.E. 2545–present — patron-committee member of the pre-examination Pali training programme, Region 15

He has also donated every year since B.E. 2559 in support of the national Naktham, Dhamma-studies and Pali examinations, pre-examination training, and various monastic schools. Notable items include:

• B.E. 2563 — support for Pali studies at Wat Daowadueng Saram, Bangkok: 500,000 baht

• B.E. 2564 — establishing a fund of the Sangha of Samut Songkhram Province for the Sangha's activities in all six areas: 10,000,000 baht

• B.E. 2564 — support for the Pali co-educational school at Wat Phet Samut Worawihan: 2,000,000 baht, and at Wat Pradu (royal monastery): 1,000,000 baht

• B.E. 2564 — establishing a fund for the Naktham Tho–Ek examinations of Samut Songkhram Province, and funds for the Naktham Tri examinations of Mueang Samut Songkhram, Amphawa and Bang Khonthi districts: 1,000,000 baht each

• B.E. 2565 — support for Buddhasothorn Buddhist College, Chachoengsao Province: 1,000,000 baht

• B.E. 2567 — support for the preceptor examinations of the Supreme Sangha Council: 200,000 baht (examination costs and offering of meals)

Temple Construction and Restoration at Wat Chulamanee

Construction and restoration within the temple since B.E. 2534 have covered religious buildings, pavilions, monks' residences, restrooms and utilities, as well as the purchase of land for car parks and a temple entrance — construction totalling 495,967,108 baht and restoration 21,776,569 baht. Notable items are as follows.

Public Welfare

Since B.E. 2541, Wat Chulamanee has distributed 4,000–5,000 sets of consumer goods at its annual fair in almost every year, and has continually supported hospitals, rescue units, police stations and government offices in Samut Songkhram Province. Examples include:

• B.E. 2536 — purchase of a cardiac defibrillator for Amphawa Hospital

• B.E. 2562 — contribution to the construction of the Sala Raluek Khun, Sapparachen Foundation, Nakhon Pathom Province: 2,341,914.81 baht

• B.E. 2563 — purchase of three items of medical equipment for Amphawa Hospital (a fetal heart-rate and uterine-contraction monitor · two portable cardiac and vital-signs monitors · a vein finder)

• B.E. 2564 — contributions for equipment and development of Somdet Phra Phutthaloetla Hospital, Amphawa Hospital and Naphalai Hospital: 300,000 baht each

• B.E. 2564 — contribution to the welfare funds of the Personnel Office of the Royal Thai Police: 11,000,000 baht

• B.E. 2565 — establishing the public-benefit "Samut Songkhram Provincial Fund": 34,119,479.69 baht

• B.E. 2565 — contribution to the welfare funds of Provincial Police Region 7: 22,413,613 baht

• B.E. 2566 — purchase of wheelchairs for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Samut Songkhram Province: 340,000 baht

Educational Support and Scholarships

• B.E. 2532 — endowment of the "Luang Pho Nuang Kowitho Foundation" with 30,000,000 baht, whose proceeds support monastic studies, sustain monks and novices, develop the temple, maintain public libraries and museums, and serve public benefit, without any political involvement (now 36,610,487.11 baht with interest)

• B.E. 2555 — establishing student-welfare funds at three levels — primary, secondary and higher education — whose proceeds provide scholarships, with additional capital added every year since B.E. 2563

• B.E. 2559–2567 — scholarships awarded every year, from pre-school to higher education, including special scholarships for students with disabilities: 3,581,500 baht in total

He has also donated for buildings, equipment and scholarships at schools and colleges, totalling 6,369,071 baht — for example, a multi-purpose pavilion for Wat Chulamanee School (B.E. 2532) · a language laboratory at Amphawan Witthayalai School (B.E. 2534) · concrete paving for the field in front of Wat Chulamanee School, 1,399,319 baht (B.E. 2544) · a scholarship contribution to Wat Bang Kaphom School, 1,000,000 baht (B.E. 2564) · renovation of the student dormitory of Lopburi College of Dramatic Arts, 515,000 baht (B.E. 2567).

Support for Other Temples

Since B.E. 2532, Luang Pho Itthi has contributed to the construction and restoration of religious buildings at temples in Samut Songkhram and throughout the country. In B.E. 2565 alone he contributed to the restoration of more than 100 temples in Samut Songkhram Province, 50,000 baht each. Notable items include:

• B.E. 2562–2565 — construction of the chanting hall of Wat Khae, Suphan Buri Province: 28,307,433 baht in total

• B.E. 2563 — construction of monks' residences at Wat Phang Muang, Suphan Buri Province: 15,000,000 baht

• B.E. 2563 — construction of the ubosot of Wat Pa Wimuttayaram, Ratchaburi Province: 6,080,763 baht

• B.E. 2563 — restoration of the ubosot (3,500,000 baht) and construction of a Tao Wessuwan shrine (1,500,000 baht) at Wat Si Lom, Lampang Province

• B.E. 2564 — construction of the Tripiṭaka hall of Wat San Sai Ton Kok, Chiang Mai Province: 10,000,000 baht

• B.E. 2564 and 2566 — restoration of the ubosot of Wat Wang Phong, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province: 11,861,405 baht in total

• B.E. 2565 — construction of the royal commemorative shrine at Wat Thep Prasit Khanawat, Samut Songkhram Province: 17,690,000 baht

• B.E. 2565 — construction of the ubosot of Wat Khao Lo Nuea Pracha Samakkhi, Nakhon Sawan Province: 5,467,345 baht

• B.E. 2567 — construction of the Kosonpariyattikhun monks' residence, Wat San Sai Ton Kok, Chiang Mai Province: 5,000,000 baht

Public Relief during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• B.E. 2564 — opened a "delivery alms kitchen" in response to the wishes of the Supreme Patriarch, preparing food and delivering it to the doors of residents of Bang Chang Subdistrict and nearby areas 125 times throughout the year

• B.E. 2564 — donated 100 industrial fans, a refrigerator and a microwave to establish the Amphawa Ruam Jai field hospital, and provided 300 meals a day to patients in two field hospitals of Samut Songkhram Province for as long as they operated

• B.E. 2564–2565 — donated coffins to the Sawang Benchatham Foundation, Samut Songkhram (250) and the Kanchanaburi Rescue Foundation (43) for the cremation of the deceased

• B.E. 2564–2567 — offered rice and fish sauce to the ecclesiastical head of Region 15 for distribution to people in Region 15 (Ratchaburi–Phetchaburi–Samut Songkhram–Prachuap Khiri Khan): 23 tonnes of rice in total

• B.E. 2564–2565 — donated rice to Border Patrol Police schools in remote areas of Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces, and to the school-lunch programme of schools under the Samut Songkhram Primary Educational Service Area Office (twice, 17.4 tonnes in total)

• B.E. 2566 — donated 21 tonnes of rice (4,200 bags) to Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, the Rotary Club of Nakhon Pathom, Border Patrol Police schools, Wat Don Chan (a centre caring for orphaned, poor and disadvantaged children) and schools in Samut Songkhram Province

• B.E. 2567 — donated 14,400 bags of rice, 72 tonnes in total, to every school in Samut Songkhram Province

Documentary Videos

Documentary programs and recollections about Luang Pho Itthi Bhaddacaro of Wat Chulamanee.