The Life of Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan, Phichit Province
Luang Pho Ngern Buddhajoti was originally named Ngern. He was born on Friday, the tenth lunar month of the Year of the Dragon, corresponding to 16 September 1808.
Luang Pho Ngern Buddhajoti was born in Bang Khlan Village, Bang Khlan District, Phichit Province. He was the fourth child in the family. His father, U, was from Bang Khlan, while his mother, Fak, was from Kamphaeng Phet Province. He was born during the reign of King Rama I of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. He had six siblings, all from the same parents. Their names were Phrom, Thap, Thong, Ngern, Lam, and Rot.
In 1813, when Luang Pho Ngern was five years old, his teacher, Nai Chuang, took him to Bangkok. After he was old enough to begin his education, he was placed at Wat Tong Pu, now known as Wat Chana Songkhram, where he studied for many years. At the age of twelve, he was ordained as a novice monk. When he reached the appropriate age, he received full ordination as a Buddhist monk at Wat Chana Songkhram and was given the monastic name Buddhajoti. He remained at the temple for three Buddhist Lent periods, studying Buddhist teachings, monastic discipline, and practising Vipassana meditation. During this time, he became a disciple of Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To) Brahmaramsi of Wat Rakhang Khositaram. Under his guidance, Luang Pho Ngern studied traditional Buddhist knowledge, Vipassana meditation, as well as sacred practices believed to enhance kindness, popularity, and spiritual protection.
Later, Luang Pho Ngern moved to Wat Bang Khlan (Wat Hiranyaram) in Phichit Province. His reputation quickly spread, and people came to know him as Luang Pho Ngern or Luang Pu Ngern. Many devotees regularly visited the temple to receive holy water blessed by him.
Miracles of Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan
According to stories passed down by elderly devotees of Wat Thai Nam and Uncle Plaek Suknuan, who lived during Luang Pho Ngern’s lifetime and once served him, Luang Pho Ngern loved raising animals. He kept elephants, cattle, buffaloes, horses, deer, antelopes, gaurs, gibbons, bears, white monkeys, wild rabbits, doves, and quails. It was said that Luang Pho Ngern could easily tame these wild animals by blessing rice, grass, and water before giving them to eat and drink.
On one occasion, Luang Pho Ngern had an argument with his elder brother, Ta Phumra. One day, Ta Phumra’s buffalo fought with Luang Pho Ngern’s buffalo. In the end, Ta Phumra’s buffalo lost the fight and suffered several bleeding wounds, while Luang Pho Ngern’s buffalo was completely unharmed. Ta Phumra became furious. That evening, after drinking alcohol, he crossed the river to see Luang Pho Ngern and shouted, “Than Ngern! Than Ngern! Are you really that powerful? Everyone around here says you’re incredibly powerful!” Seeing that his elder brother was drunk, Luang Pho Ngern calmly replied, “How could I be powerful? I’m just a monk.” Still upset that his buffalo had lost, Ta Phumra continued, “People say you’re invulnerable and that no weapon can harm you. Is that true?” He then crossed back to retrieve a gun. At that time, it was likely either a flintlock gun or a percussion-cap gun. After getting the gun, he returned to the temple to test Luang Pho Ngern. As soon as he arrived, he called out, “Where are you, Than Ngern? I’ve brought a gun to test you.” Luang Pho Ngern answered, “I’m right here. Go ahead, brother. Shoot wherever you think is appropriate.”
Ta Phumra wasted no time. He immediately raised the gun to his shoulder and pulled the trigger. The hammer clicked three or four times, but the gun did not fire. When he lowered the gun, he was astonished to find water flowing out of the barrel instead. According to the story, this incident convinced the villagers that Luang Pho Ngern possessed sacred spiritual power. From then on, many people came to ask him for blessed amulets and sacred objects. As stories of his miraculous deeds spread far and wide, increasing numbers of people sought his blessings and sacred amulets. Luang Pho Ngern became highly respected by both Thai and Chinese communities.
One day, a Chinese man came to ask Luang Pho Ngern for holy water to take home for bathing. He believed it would bring blessings to himself and his family, as well as greater prosperity in his business. He brought a bamboo container filled with water, although some accounts say he used a water jar instead.
After listening to the man’s request, Luang Pho Ngern lit a candle and simply sat talking with him. They continued their conversation for quite some time. Eventually, the Chinese man asked, “Master, when are you going to bless the water?” Luang Pho Ngern replied, “It’s already finished.” The Chinese man argued, “But I didn’t see you do anything. We’ve just been sitting here talking the whole time.” Luang Pho Ngern calmly answered again, “It’s already finished.” Feeling unconvinced, the Chinese man tried to pour the water out of the container. However, according to the story, not a single drop flowed out. This event further enhanced Luang Pho Ngern’s reputation and made his name even more widely known.
According to Uncle Plaek Suknuan, Luang Pho Ngern enjoyed raising both land and aquatic animals, including crocodiles. At that time, the area around Bang Khlan was home to many wild crocodiles. One day, while Luang Pho Ngern was on his way to attend to some business, he saw a crocodile about to eat a fish in the middle of the river. For reasons unknown, he asked one of his disciples, Nai Kling, to take the fish from the crocodile’s mouth. Remarkably, Nai Kling succeeded without suffering any injury. Uncle Plaek believed that Luang Pho Ngern must have given him spiritual protection.
Another temple disciple was Ta Nak, whose duty was to carry Luang Pho Ngern’s meal during the morning alms round. Ta Nak was known for oversleeping. One day, he overslept more than usual. When Luang Pho Ngern learned about it, he fired a bullet in the opposite direction from where Ta Nak was believed to be. However, according to the story, the bullet somehow struck Ta Nak while he was still sleeping inside his monk’s quarters.
Many more miraculous stories about Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan have been passed down through the years. These stories helped spread his reputation far and wide, attracting a large number of disciples, including both monks and lay followers.
Many of Luang Pho Ngern’s disciples from Wat Bang Khlan later became highly respected monks in their own right. Some of the most well-known include:
Luang Pho Phit of Wat Khamang, renowned for his “Life Partner Takrut”.
Luang Pho Noi of Wat Kongkharam, the creator of stingray leather takrut and barking deer leather takrut.
Palad Chum of Wat Thai Nam.
Luang Pho Hom of Wat Luang.
Luang Pho Nuan of Wat Hat Mun Krabue.
Luang Pho Fung of Wat Pak Nam.
Luang Pho Kham of Wat Pho Tia.
Luang Pho Bai of Wat Tha Luang Phon, who created a commemorative cast medal of Luang Pho Phet.
Luang Pu Phu of Wat Tha Lo.
Among his lay disciples was Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, the Prince of Chumphon, who was also one of Luang Pho Ngern’s followers. Later in life, Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan was appointed as a preceptor (Upajjhaya) and was granted the ecclesiastical title of Chao Khun in recognition of his expertise as a Vipassana meditation master. Luang Pho Ngern passed away peacefully from old age at 5:00 a.m. on 20 September 1919, which fell on the eleventh waning day of the tenth lunar month in the Year of the Goat. He was 111 years old and had spent 90 years in the monkhood. He passed away at Wat Wang Takhok in Bang Khlan Subdistrict, Bang Khlan District, Phichit Province. Although he has long since passed away, the many stories of his miraculous deeds continue to be remembered. He is regarded as one of Thailand’s longest-lived and most highly respected monks.
Chant for Paying Respect to Luang Pho Ngern Buddhajoti
(Recite Namo Tassa three times before chanting the following prayer.)
Siddhi Buddhang Kitchang Mama, Phu Khon Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Siddhi Dhammang Jittang Mama, Khao Khong Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Siddhi Sangkhang Jittang Mama, Ngern Thong Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Chimphalee Mahalaphang Bhavantu Me
The most auspicious days to pay respect to Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Offer nine lotus flowers or nine jasmine flowers, three pieces of betel nut arranged on a tray, nine incense sticks, and one pair of candles. While making the offering, pray sincerely for Luang Pho Ngern’s blessings to grant protection, keep you safe from danger and criminals, bring success in business, and bless you with kindness, popularity, and good fortune. The sacred virtues of Luang Pho Ngern are widely recognized and respected throughout Thailand. His sacred objects are especially well known, including his famous cast statues in the Pim Niyom and Pim Khii Ta styles, the Large Hoe (Khai Pla Khang) and Small Hoe styles, Takrut amulets, as well as the sacred holy water blessed by him.
Prayer of Reverence to Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan, Phichit Province
(Recite Namo Tassa three times before chanting the following prayer.)
Aka Adhi Adhi Aka Thi-a Ka-a
Vandami Acariyanca Hiranya Namakang Thirang Siddhi Thantang Mahatechang Iddhi Mantang Vasadharang
(Siddhi Buddhang Kitchang Mama, Phu Khon Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Siddhi Dhammang Jittang Mama, Khao Khong Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Siddhi Sangkhang Jittang Mama, Ngern Thong Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Chimphalee Cha Mahalaphang Bhavantu Me)
Sacred Chant of Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan, Phichit Province
(Recite Namo Tassa three times before chanting the following sacred verse.)
Na Buddhang Araham Metta Chit
Na Dhammang Araham Metta Chit
Na Sangkhang Araham Metta Chit
Ehi Buddhang Piyang Mama, Phu Khon Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Ehi Dhammang Piyang Mama, Khao Khong Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Ehi Sangkhang Piyang Mama, Ngern Thong Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
Chimphalee Cha Mahalapho Bhavantu Me
Short Chant of Luang Pho Ngern
(Recite Namo Tassa three times before chanting the following verse.)
Na Ngern Mee Ma Na Chalee Ti
Na Ngern Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
(Recite 9 times.)
Luang Pho Ngern’s Protective Chant
(Recite Namo Tassa three times before chanting the following sacred verse.)
Phra Buddhang Phra Chao Khong Nang
Phra Dhammang Phra Chao Khong Nuea
Phra Sangkhang Phra Chao Khong Kraduk
Om Phet Khongkha Tri Khong Svaha
Luang Pho Ngern’s Chant for Safe Travel
(Recite Namo Tassa three times before chanting the following sacred verse.)
Sususang Araham Bhagava
Luang Pho Ngern’s Chant for Loving-Kindness, the chant for loving-kindness is as follows: Makkaya Thewang
Short Chant of Luang Pho Ngern
(Recite Namo Tassa three times before chanting the following verse.)
Na Ngern Mee Ma Na Chalee Ti
Na Ngern Lai Ma Na Chalee Ti
(Recite 9 times.)
The chants of Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan presented above are traditionally believed to offer spiritual protection, help keep the chanter safe from danger, bring loving-kindness and popularity, attract good fortune, and support success in business and daily life. Readers may choose whichever chant they find most suitable for their own practice.
Sources:
Ajarn Yod – The Law of Karma and Thai Folk Tales: Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan
Sanook.com
Note:
Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Kongkharam, Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Thai Nam, and Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Khlan refer to the same revered monk.
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