Luang Phor Kasem

Luang Phor Kasem was born on Wednesday, 28th November BE2455 in Jangwat Lampang. Luang Phor Kasem was the descendants of Lampang's King from Lanna Period.

He became a novice monk in BE2468 after the dead his uncle, the abbot of Wat Bunyeun. In BE2470, he went to Bangkok, Wat Setuwan to study Pali language. He returned to Lampang and further his Pali studies in Wat Seelom and Wat Bunyawaht.

In BE2475, he passed his Pali examination with good results and came in first in class at Wat Setuwan. In BE2476, he was ordained as a monk at Wat Bunyeun at the age of 21 years old. His preceptor was Tahn Jow Koon Tammajindah. His ordained name's was Kemagoh Pikkhu.

Luang Phor Kasem ever sat in sammahdti for as long as 3 months, without shelter under hot sun or heavy rain. Even his robes were wet by the rain or during cold season, when the cold wind blows, Luang Phor Kasem would just sit quietly and not complain and asked for anything. He had let go of everything and steadfast in his practice of dhamma and sammahdti.

He ever go without food for 49 days. Since BE2514, Luang Phor Kasem only bathed once a year, but there is no stench or foul odour from his body, even his sweat was pouring under the hot sun. More surprisingly, without shelter and mosquito net, Luang Phor Kasem never suffered a bite from mosquito at the cemetery.

Luang Phor Kasem carried nothing with him. His only possession was an alms bowl, his robe which he was wearing and a piece of human bone for him to practice sammahdti. He did not even have any footwear.

Luang Phor Kasem ever mentioned that he is a forest monk and does not require any possession. He was contented with a piece of robe covering his body. Whatever things the layman gave to him, Luang Phor Kasem would give away to other monks.

Luang Phor Kasem never used a pillow to sleep, because to him, a pillow is a luxury. Luang Phor Kasem would sleep with his body in full prostrate position and would sleep at the same spot where he sat in sammahdti.

He was very determined to find the truth of life. He asked for nothing in life though he can enjoy the luxuries in life, as he was the descendant of royal blood in Lampang. Luang Phor Kasem passed away in BE2538 at the age of 83.

Credit to the original Creator