Phra Khru Kowitsamutkhun (Luang Pho Nuang Kowitho)

When the cremation of Luang Pho Chaem was concluded, the provincial sangha saw fit to appoint the monk Nuang Kowitho to succeed as abbot — the one who would in time become Phra Khru Kowitsamutkhun. He was a disciple of both Luang Pu Khong Thammachoto and Luang Pho Chaem Solos, in that order.

Birth and Origins

• Lay name: Nuang Thaosuwan

• Date of birth: Monday 14 February B.E. 2452 (1910), the Year of the Rooster

• Parents: Mr Thomya and Mrs Tap Thaosuwan

• Hometown: Ban Khlong Yai, Village No. 4, Phraek Nam Daeng Subdistrict, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province

Higher Ordination

Luang Pho Nuang was ordained on 29 July B.E. 2475 (1932) at the ubosot of Wat Bang Kaphom, Amphawa Subdistrict, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province, with:

• Preceptor: Phra Athikan Khong Thammachoto, abbot of Wat Bang Kaphom

• Ordination-proclamation teacher (kammavācācariya): Luang Pho Chaem Solos, abbot of Wat Chulamanee

• Announcing teacher (anusāvanācariya): Phra Achan Plong of Wat Bang Kaphom

Educational Qualifications and Special Expertise

• B.E. 2463 (1920) — completed Grade 4 of primary school at the Wat Bang Kaphom school

• B.E. 2479 (1936) — passed the advanced (Ek) level of Dhamma studies at the monastic school of Wat Chulamanee

He was moreover skilled in reading and writing the Khom script and Pali, and expert in construction works (nawakam — building and restoration), which became an important foundation for building the marble ubosot in later years.

Ecclesiastical Administration and Ranks

• B.E. 2490 (1947) — appointed abbot of Wat Chulamanee

• B.E. 2496 (1953) — granted the royally-conferred Phra Khru Sanyabat rank, abbot of a commoners' temple, third class, under the conferred ecclesiastical title "Phra Khru Kowitsamutkhun"

• B.E. 2498 (1955) — appointed preceptor

• B.E. 2517 (1974) — granted promotion to the Phra Khru Sanyabat rank, abbot of a commoners' temple, second class, of the meditation (vipassanā) branch, under the same conferred title

Honors and Royal Visits

The fame of Luang Pho Nuang as a revered master spread far, reaching even into the royal palace. On 27 January B.E. 2520 (1977), His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (then holding the rank of Crown Prince of Siam), together with Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suttha Narinat, made a private royal visit to pay homage to Luang Pho Nuang; and on Saturday 16 October B.E. 2525 (1982), Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made a private royal visit to offer the kathina robes.

The Building of the Marble Ubosot

Luang Pho Nuang restored Wat Chulamanee into a serene sacred place, and initiated the building of a three-tiered, four-faced (jaturamuk) marble ubosot worth tens of millions of baht in construction cost. He watched over the construction with meticulous care for more than 20 years, until it was near completion — with only a few window panels and part of the marble flooring remaining. He then bequeathed to the new abbot his legacy of a verdant temple, a further 29-million-baht-odd in cash, and the nearly-finished marble ubosot, amid the deep mourning of his disciples.

Passing Away

Luang Pu Nuang Kowitho passed away on 27 November B.E. 2530 (1987) at 06.20 a.m. at Samitivej Hospital, Bangkok, at the age of 78, with 56 vassa.

Incorrupt Body

By the fullness of his barami, even after leaving this life the body of Luang Pho Nuang did not decay. It is now enshrined in a glass casket on the temple's sermon hall, where devotees come without cease to pay homage for their well-being and good fortune.

Photographs of Luang Pho Nuang

Photographs of Luang Pho Nuang Kowitho, former abbot of Wat Chulamanee, gathered in remembrance of his conduct and barami.

Monastic Certificate (Nangsue Sutthi)

The Nangsue Sutthi is an important Buddhist document recording a monk's ordination history — the date of ordination, the preceptor (upajjhāya), the kammavācācariya and anusāvanācariya teachers, as well as monastic affiliation and transfers between monasteries. The images of Luang Pho Nuang Kowitho's certificate recorded below stand as historical evidence affirming his monastic status and practice.

Documentary Videos

Documentary programs and recorded accounts of the conduct and barami of Luang Pho Nuang Kowitho.