The First Time I Met Him, at Wat Lao — a Photograph of Luang Pho Itthi, B.E. 2538
A rarely seen old photograph of Luang Pho Itthi Bhaddacāro as a young monk, taken at the consecration of the Udom Mongkhon Suk Phra Kring at Wat Lao in B.E. 2538 (1995), when he still held the title Phra Khru Winaithon Somphot
A recollection — the first time I ever met him, at Wat Lao
In those days this is exactly how he looked — one of the young teachers of the nineties.
Where and when the photograph was taken
The picture was taken at the consecration ceremony (Buddhābhiṣeka) of the Udom Mongkhon Suk Phra Kring at Wat Lao, B.E. 2538 (1995).
The young monk in the photograph is the venerable Phra Khru Winaithon Somphot of those years — today Chao Khun Phra Samut Wachirasophon Wi. (Somphot Bhaddacāro) of Wat Chulamanee, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province.
The title in the photograph, and the sequence of ranks that followed
The title recorded in this recollection — "Phra Khru Winaithon Somphot Bhaddacāro" — was a thānānukrama title conferred within the retinue of Phra Wisutthathibodi (Bhaddacārī) of Wat Suthat Thepwararam, which Luang Pho received in B.E. 2535 (1992), three years before this photograph. He was later granted the royally conferred title "Phra Khru Sophitwiriyaphon" in B.E. 2540 (1997), and the rank of Phra Rachakhana as "Phra Samut Wachirasophon Wi." in B.E. 2567 (2024).
(The full sequence of ranks and his complete biography may be read on the page "Luang Pho Itthi" in the register of abbots.)
Photograph credit
Image file by Phra Ajahn Channarong of Wat Lao
Recounted by
Tik Phromchot