BIRTHPLACE
ACCEPTANCE OF REAPONSIBILITY
DISPOSITION TOWARD THE NOBLE PATH
ORDINATION-THE TAKING OF THE YELLOW ROBES
PRESENTING HIMSELF AS A STUDENT OF LUNG BOO MUN
THE LAW OR TRUTH OF THE BUDDHAIS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PERSONAL POSSESIONS
ORDINATION INTO THE MONKHOOD
THE SOURCE OF TAN AJARN SOMCHAI TIDHAWIRIYO'S MOTIVATION
OBSERVING PRACTICE OF THE TRUTH OF THE BUDDHA AT KHAM HAI AND JAO PUKHA CAVES
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo (The Venerable Somchai Tidhawiriyo) is a native of Roi Et Province, Northeast Thailand. He was born on April 7, 1925, at noon on a Tuesday, the 15 th day of the waxing moon in the year of the Ox, in the village of Lao-ngui, Janghan Tambon, Central District,Roi Et Province.
His father's name was Sawn Madiyapak, his mother's name was Boon Madiyapak, His mother was the youngest daugther of Khun Luang Sean, the leader of the Hindus in that locality. Tan phra Ajarn Somchai had one brother, named Manu Madiyapak. His mother passed away when he was only about two years old, so he became ward of hid grandfather, Khun Luang Sean. However, his time with Khun Luang Sena was short because he passed away also.
A look at Khun Luang Sena, Tan phra Ajarn Somchai's grandfather. Shows that he was an important figure in that locality, being the leader on of the Hindu religion and thus the one who arranged the various religious ceremonies in keeping with that religion.
It so happened that on the day of Tan phra Ajarn Somchai's birth, there was an important Hindu ceremony. His mother, who was still carrying him, joined in the local procession. However, during this procession she suddenly gave birth, causing the enitre ceremony to come to a half. This was taken as an omen that the time of the Hindu religion in that locality was also about to come to an end. Tan phra Ajarn's grandfather himself gave this prediction about Than Phra Ajarn: "This child is destined to be the one who change the religion of out family in the future." So, the breakup of the procession was taken as a sign that Hinduism was finished in that village. And so it was that later,after having taken the yellow robes, Tan phra Ajarn Somchai retured to the village and converted all the villagers to the way of Buddhism.
Following the sudden death of Khun Luang Sena from cholera, the very sheltered existence that Than Phra Ajarn Somchai's grandfather had provinded was no more and future looked veery bleak ineed - where to ture in life?
His mother had dies he had had a chance to know what she looked like, his grandfather had then passed way, tihs own father had never taken any interest in his welfare-he was left alone with no way out. After these stormy periods had passed Than Phra Ajarn Somchai was taken in by a relative, a cousin who was like an elder brother, with whom he was able to re side happily for a short periode - until the third turning point came when his sister-in-law died, leaving 4 or 5 children as orphans.
Than Phra Ajarn Somchai had to take on the reponsibility of looking after these children just as though he were their mother and only parent, especailly after the elder brother developed into a hooligan who paid no afftention to the family. So, Than Phra Ajarn Somchai took on the reponsibility of caring for the children and trying lift up the standard of the family to equal that of other in the village. He took on the work of a merchant, trading in sundry goods between the market and the village. When businesswas goods he would use the profits to buy food to share with the elderly and the children in the village. This habit of Than Phra Ajarn's of sharing which was developed as a child has stays with him to the present time.
At the time Than Phra Ajarn Somchai was looking after 4 or 5 others and trying to build up his life he was only 14, living under the house of the relative who was not of much help or support. That's why he had to work so hard to find enough to live on and buy a house. still, the elder brother would steal the money he had put aside instead of helping to provide for this own children, and this was very upsetting to Than Phra Ajarn Somchai.
Anyway, after two years of hard work, when Than Phra Ajarn was about 17 or 18, he was able to buy a house for 75 bath, a cart and a pair of oxen for another 75 bath, plus many other items. This ability was a mark of his caracter as a good leader who knew from the time of his teens how to take reponsibility both for him and the welfare of other. ADn these traits were recognized and praised by those close to him, and he was repected by the villagers as well. Than Phra Ajarn Somchai lived life of the layman until of 19th year, a life in which he was fed up with the world, a life of confusion, suffering and uncertrainty. Thus it was that Than Phra Ajarn Somchai decided to forsake the life of a layman and enter the monkhood in order to seek the way to overcome suffering in the future.
While Khun Luang Sena was still alive, he tried in every way possible to train his grandson so that he could one day take his place because he saw the special characteristics of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai which were those of someone who was destined to become and important personage in the future.
However, because of habits Tan Phra Ajarn had developed in previous existences. Experienced he had of boredom ad a layman. And satisfaction with the life of an ascetic where life was simple, solitary, and one of seekly only to overcome suffering, his satisfaction had increased steadily. At the time when Khun Luang Sena was still living, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai had already developed an interest in the moral path of Buddhism. He always tried to read everything he could about the Buddhist faith. The book he enjoyed most at that time was "The History of Buddhism." And sometimes he sneaked out to listen to Buddhist sermons, one attending a sermon given by a disciple of Luang Boo Mun Pooritadhatera, who was quite well known in that period. However, none of these actions were undertaken openly because Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai felt that were directly against the beliefs of his forefathers. If his grandfather were to discover what was going on, he would be punished severly, and there were times when he was beaten or tied up and left in the sun of given some other form of punishment in order to set an example for others and to learn his lesson. So even though he was as careful as he could be, he could be, he did not escape the attention of his grandfather. He was caught and punished as described above. No matter how harsh the punishment was, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai did not cry. He never asked for mercy; he always took his punishment quietly and stoically. When his grandfather asked whether he had had enough, or whether he had learnwed his lesson, he remained quiet, stoic and mute.
This interest in reading about the Noble Truth or the History of Buddhism, along with attendance at sermons and joining monks in merit making at various temples where Buddhist practiced were taught remained a continuing activity of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai. This time, though he was a bit more circumspect in his actions in deference ti his grandfather and for fear of more punishment. Thus was this very strange situation where in Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai had been born into a Hindu environment yet had developed an interested and belied in the Buddhist faith.
The writer, on hearing Tan Phra Ajarn relate this story, could not help thinking of the time of the Lord Budddha, when each of the followers had been of another faith. Thus, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's story is not so strange after all because it originated in an-born disposition that made it so.
The aboce events acted to hasten Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's decision to turn to the world of the Natural Truth. After the death of his sister-in-law he carried out his responsibilities in a satisfactory manner in every respect. When he saw that the time was right, he told his elder brother about his desire to enter the monkhood. His brother thought the idea was rather far-fetched but said, "Do it if you want; I won't stand in the way." On receiving permission like this without any fuss, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai began to collect his things immediately, fearing that his elder brother would change his mind. After packing his things, it was middnight before he set out across the rice fields heading for Pasripraiwan Temple, On the following morning Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai pesented himself to the Venerable Peng, the acting abbott, saying that he was ready to become a monk. After a suitable peroid of training there, he was ordained as a novice at Nua Temple, Central District, and Roiet, with the Venerable Patiyanmuni, the Abbot of Roi ET officiating at the installation cermony. The ordination took place on June 5, 2487, on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the year of the Monkey, at the age of 19. Then Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai spent the Lenten season at Pasripraiwan Temple.
While Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was a novice at Pasripraiwan Temple he heard fabulous stories about Luang Boo Mun being a saintly monk who had freed himself of all human passion. This aroused a great desire to see such a person who was living at that very time. At the end of Lent, then, Tan Phra Ajarn bade farewell to the Abbot and joined the Venerable Peng and five other monks who were going to the temple where Luang Boo Mun was staying.
Along the way Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai had the chance to visit and study at various temple, e.g. Pasakwan Temple, Kalasin, with the Venerable Deang, and the temple of the Venerable Son Pookaw. Finally, he arrived at Luang Boo Mun's branch temple, Pabankommanao Temple, which was situated on front of Luang Boo Mun's Temple, with the Venerable Goo as the Abbot.
Ordinarily, anyone seeking to enter Luang Boo Mun's temple, had first to under go training, and so it was with Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's group, comprising:
1) The Venerable Prasob
2) The Venerable Intha
3) The Venerable Pong Jantasaro
4) The Venerable Suwat Suwajo
5) Tan Phra Ajan Somchai(At that time still a novice)
At the end of B.E. 2487(1944) the whole group went to present themselves as the disciples of Luang Boo Mun at Bahbahn-nongpu Temple in Sakol Nakorn. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was only a novice at the time and the first impression he had on entering the temple was its cieanliness and orderliness, so conducive to the practitioner of the Natural Truth that Tan Phra Ajarn felt immediately a tendency to deep meditation, something that he had never experienced at any other temple. It was an experience that proviced an unforgettable orientation of auspicious ideals for this life.
During the time that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was studying and practicing with Luang Boo Mun, he devoted himself diligently to his practice of mental meditation seeking the truths of religion. He never had any difficulty with his teachers nor did he rest during the day. He felt there was hardly enough time for study and practice, and so only the need t sleep and illness would keep him from his observing of the dhamma.
He was hungry for the way of the Natural Triuth, as hungry as someone would be for food, as will be evidenced as his life story enfolds below.
One day during the cool season all the monks and novices went to Luang BooMun's hut to listen to his teaching of the Noble Path.THan Phra Ajarn Somchai and his group went also but were not able to get into the hut because
1) there weren't any seats left and
2) they were still novices so they had to act attendents to the monks. their job was to prepare the pot of herbal tea, following the tradition of very temple or meditation center. So, while Than Phra Ajarn and his group were preparing the pot of herbaltea they heard Luang Boo Mun being his teaching and hurried back to listen.
When they arrived at the hut they found there was no room for them so they went under the hut to stand an try to hear Luang Boo Mun, whosometime spoke so softly that they had to cup their ears trying to make out what he was saying. What they heard was so powerful that it went not to their ears but straight to their minds, causing them to forget about the pot that he had put on the fireand also about how cold it was with their dress consisting only of the traditational dress-like garment and sash over the shoulder.
It so happened that on that day Luang Boo Mun's teaching about the strange ways of the Noble Path was much more detailed than on any other day. While everyone was listening there was whispering about the herbal pot and whowould go to take care of it. The novices argued about who would go. Than Phra Ajarn Somchai remained quiet, his rapt attention given toLuang Boo Mun's teaching. one of the other noviced said to Novices Somchai: "If you don't go,you'll have to take a blamefot anything that happens." Than Phra Ajarn was interested only in listening so he didnot move. Then, as soonas Luang Boo Mun finished his teaching, Novice Somchai rushed to see the herbal pot, only to find that it had boiled out dry and tyhe pot itself had broken.
When the group saw what had happened they turned on Novice Somchai and attacked him for allowing the pot to be broken. They all shifted the blame to Novice Somchai and said would have to be the only one who would be punished. Now, it was Novice Somchai's nature to accept things likea man anyway, so,he was willing to accept the blame, not making any claim otherwise. HE remained still and quiet, ready to take any punishment if only he would have the opportunity of staying to study with Luang Boo Mun.
As the discussion of the broken pot was continuing Luang Boo Mun happened to walk by. On seeing the broken pot he laughed quietly in manner suggesting the understood what had transpired and was not going to criticize anyone for it. As he laughed, he said, "The truth of the Buddha is more important than any material object." Just these two sentences change the whole atmosphere and put the whole group to shame. As for Novice Somchai, he felta great surge of pride, and a deep respect for the valued of Luang Boo Mun, who was able to see what Novice Somchai's true aim was, i.e. to listen to the teaching, This made Novice Somchai realize that Luang Boo Mun was truly a saintly monk, but he did'dn know how to explain it at that time, so he it as a deep inner feeling.
The writer used to wonder how those who attented the teaching of the Lord Buddha so quickly became saintly monks. but when Than Phra Ajarn Somchai relateed the above story of Luang Boo Mun, what happened to Novice Somchai was that Luang Boo Mun's teachings bypassed Novice Somchai's sence and went straight to his mind. That's probably what happened during the time of the Lord Buddha. It must have been the degree of diligence or intention, as well as the already-exiting character that made ir possible for the disciples to understand the teaching and become saintly so suddenly.
After becoming a disciple of Luang Boo Mun, Than Phra Ajarn Somchai spent all his time studying. When he saw that the Lenten season was approaching, he decided that it was time to make way for other to take up Luang Boo Mun's time. He left to spend the Lenten season of 2488 with the Venerable Kongma Jirapunyo at khao Thammachdi Temple in Sakol Nakorn. Also, he had reached the age when it was time to declare himself ready to become a monk.
When Novice Somchai was 20 years old it was time to declare him ready to join the monkhood of the Buddhist faith. Luang Boo Mun gave him robes with 11-m folds plus a Bronze fork and spoon to use in the ordination ceremony. But Novice Somcjai considered thses as the articles of the Lord Buddha so he put them away as items to be revered.
As soon as Luang Boo Mun found out Novice Somchai's intedtion, he sent Mother noom Suwanon, his faithful attendant, to find the robes to present to Novice Somchai. Mother noom had served the Venerable Luang Boo Sao, Luang Boo Mun's teacher, also and whatever she was asked to do was bound to be accomplished.
This finding of robes was very difficult at that time because colth was very scarce - World War II had just anded. Mother Noom had to go around to many provinces before she was able to find the yellow robes for Novice Somchai. The robes were 400 bath, which was quite a lot of money at that time. So Mother Noom played a very important part in Novice Somchai's ordination.
When everything was in place, Luang Boo Mun appointed the Venerable Phratammachedi (Juma Pantulotera), the Venerable Luang Boo Fun, and the Venerable Kongma Jirapunyo to officiate at the ordination ceremony.
The ceremony was conducted at Sriponmuang Temple, Sakol Nakorn, on June 23, 2489, with all the officiating monks, especially the Venerable Phrathamnmachedi, have been disciples of Luang Boo Mun.
So we can say that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo is a disciple, the grandson of a disciple, and a great-grandson of a disciple of Luang Boo Mun.
Following ordination, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai spent the Lenten season at Paputorn-pitak Temple (Tadnaweng), Sakol Nakorn, where Luang Boo Fun was the Abbot.
Later on, when Mr. Wan Sittipon from Korat heard that Tan Phta Ajarn Somchai was keeping the robes given by Luang Boo Mun, he came to ask for them to set up and revere at his home. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai agreed and to this day it is not known whether Mr. Wan still has these sacred robes.
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai used to tell the novices and monk what it was that gave him the motivtion that made it possible for him to continue his study and practice after day without finding it necessary to lie down and sleep. He said that one day when he was attending Luang Boo Mun and giving him a massage his thought were elsewhere. He was worrying about how he had better get some rest after leaving Luang Boo Mun's hut since he hadn't rested for two days and nights and he was supposed to leave the next day for town to say good-bye to Mather Noom, and so he would have to say good-bye first to Luang Boo Mun and then spend the Lenten season at TahBaw, Nong Khai Province.
While these thought of concern were going though Tan Phra Ajarn's mind, Luang Boo Mun suddenly said, "Go, if you wish. You should get some rest in preparation for you jouney. You haven't rested for two days and nights."
Since these words were exactly what Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was thinking,Tan Phra Ajarn wondored whether it was just guesswork or whether Luang Boo Mun could really read his mind. He tried to analyze the situation, thinking once again about the need for rest. Then Luang Boo Mun repeated his words, proving to Tan Phra Ajarn that Luang Boo Mun could indeed read his mind. On realizing this intense feeling came over Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's whole being and suddenly he felt free of weariness, aware of the marvel of the Truth of the Buddha and the massage with renewed vigor, saying to himself that he would find the way to be like Luang Boo Mun. Luang Boo Mun was human, he was human, so it shoild not be beyond his ability to become like Luang Boo Mun. Then Luang Boo Mun said, "Are you sure that's what you want?"
On hearing these words, Tan Phra Ajarn's feelings of pried and inner strength increased greatly because of the marvelous ability of Luang Boo Mun to see inside the minds of others, to have this magical and supernatural ability or knowledge of the Buddhist faith, an ability that was mentioned in the sacred scriptures which we had assumed was only a fable but which was now a reality after having seen Luang Boo Mun's actions. Just imagine, then, what it would have been like to be able to see the Lord Buddha and Hias ability at time.
After attending Luang Boo Mun, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai returned to his quarters but instead of resting he spent the rest of the day in instense meditation, in the three postures of standing, walking and seated, pacing and seated as in the principles followed in meditation.
The next morning after returning from his regular aims duty h went in to say good-bye to Luang Boo Mun. After completing all his business in Sakol Nakorn, instead of heading for Tah Baw in Nong Khai, he decided to stoop and practice ina nearby cave named Kham Hai, in Ladkaner Billage. After a short period there he moved on to another cave, Jao Pukha Cave in Panna-nikom District, where Mr. Loon and Mr.Tidthai were his attendants. Neither cave was very far from Luang Boo Mun's temple. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai went into intense meditation for over a mouth, using the there postures, never reclining or sleeping during that time, so pervasive and fulfilling was the foundation he had received from Luang Boo Mun. He continued his meditation until he was in a state of peacefulness that gave himan even grater feeling of fulfillment, happiness, and inner strength, one beyond description. The longer he meditated, the greater the essence of the Truthof the Buddha became,an essence so strange and wonderful that it would be impossible to find anything like it elsewhere in our world.One thing that occurred to Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was that when he Lord Buudha was begining the practice fo the Truth like this the sacred scriptures relate that he was able to rreach a state of release from existence for a period of up to seven weeks. There is no need to doubt that we who practice meditation at a very simple level will not reach a state of transcendent insight or perception, but we are still able to attain this degree of happiness. The more impressive and wonderful the Lord Buddha becomes in our minds, the easier it is to see the true picture of his hidden wisdom and secret. Those who think they will reach this understanding without the practice that leads to peacefulness will never reach it. Just reading about ot without practice will never reach a stage of peacefulness, i.e. an absence of sin, and the degree of practice will determine the depth of the peacefulness that one
attains.
Those who are deeply and truly absorbed in the Buddhist faith will value their religion more than own lives, and will be ready and willing to sacrifice everything to build up their religion. They will respect the Buddhist disciplinary tenets faithfully and understand how inportant each tenet is.
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