LENT AT PET CAVE
PRACTICE OF THE DHAMMA IN THE LAND OF THE KARENS
It was in 2502 that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo led the group to Pet Cave, Poo Lek, Songdao District. Pet Cave, which was very suitable for practice of dhamma, was close to Tan Phra Ajarn Wan at Apai Damrongtham Cave Temple. Teachers of transcendental meditation could always be found there because of the many hidden places thatt were so suitable to uninterrupted meditation. Tan Phra ajarn Somchai had the the reposibility of teaching the people on Buddhist Holy Days, too. The people, including villagers from Nong Muan and Nong Waeng, under local leaders such as Kamman Tawn, Headman Jandee, Mr. Klai, Mr. Kwew, Mrs. Kian, Khun Sawai Siribut, etc., were very supportive of the temple. During the Lentern season there, when Tan Phra Ajarn Sila, who was at Chotkaraw Temple, Nong Bua Village, about 6 or 7 kilometers away, had been taken ill, he led the novices to help Ajarn Sila, who was widely respected in that area. Ajarn Sila's students and followers did all they could to try to prolong his life but to no avail. When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai got news of Ajarn Sila's death, he met with the local people and asked them whether he should go to the funeral ceremonies empty-handed or take something along like bamboo shoots to feed the people attending those ceremonies. He asked the villagers to go out to collect 2 or 3 gunny bags of bamboo shoots so that he could take them to the funeral ceremonies.
The people responded by getting their machetes and sacks ready, and then they all left to he up into the hills to get some bamboo shoots. However, by noon they had been unable to find any at all since it was the end ofLent and most of the bamboo shoots had already been gathered by the local people. The only ones left were those that had just sprouted or were so high up that no one could reach them. So the people were unable to find the bamboo shoots to feed the people and, tired and seeing no way out, they finally gave up and returned to the temple where they reported to Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai, saying: "We've been out all day looking for bamboo shoots but have not been able to find a single one. The only shoots are high for us to reach. We've been ccutting them out every day fot our own food so we can't see any way that we'll ever be able to find enough to feed a lot of people."
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo listened to this and sat thinking: 'Now, what should we do? If we went empty-handed to a big ceremony like this, it would be very bad. So we shouldn't go if we don't have anything to take. What we should do is leave this place and get as far away as we can so it will look as though the group is not here. If we do go and aren't able to join in the ceremony, it will look very awkward.'
After thinking this over, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai said to the villagers: "I don't think there's any way that I can go to the teacher's funeral, and I don't think I will be able to stay on here any longer, either." When the villagers heard this they were shocked and not knowing what else to do, tha implored Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai: "Just tell us how it will be possible for you to join in the ceremony, but whatever you do stay with us to protect us. Don't leave us like that."
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai then made this suggestion: "I'll tell you what - I want all of you go to up there again to look for bamboo shoots. If you get bamboo shoots for the funeral, I'll stay on with you here, but if you do not find any I definitely will not be able to stay on here with you." So, despite being so tired from having just returned, every person there volunteered to set out again to search for bamboo shoots. They prepared their knives and gunny bags and started out, each person wondering to himself as he went up into the forest where they were ever going to find bamboo shoots fir Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai. There just weren't any shoots at all - they eyes were drawn to the same spot where something unbelievable and marvelous was transpiring in front of their very eyes.
A group of big monkeys suddenly appeared, so many that the forest seemed to be covered with them. And each seened to know that its duty was to get the bamboo shoots that were high up on the bamboo stalks and throw the shoots down to the ground. The ground was covered with bamboo shoots. Some monkeys were able to reach inside a bamboo stalk and pull out a bamboo shoot every time. It was truly a strange and amazing scene.
Wherever the villagers moved, the monkeys went ahesd to pluck the shoots from high above and drop them to the ground. Soon the sacks were full of shoots where the previous time none had been found. The villagers were all very excited and some cried, and all wondered: " We've been here for up to 70 years and we've never seen this many monkeys. There used to be a few but they all ran away to escape ua humans."
Thus that day had been the day of the mst miraculous event in the life of the villagers, with some telling the story like this: "This is the first time in my life that I've ever seen anying like this...after the sacks were full we went backk down to Pet cave and rushed to tell Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai everything that had happened."
And so Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai went to Tan Phra Ajarn Sila's funeral as intended, talking the bamboo shoots to use in the preparation of food to present to monks, novinces and people there.
The group stayed at the funeral all through the cremation and then Tan Phra ajarn Somchai led them back to Pet Cave to continue with their meditation practice. At that time Novice Prapai Rub-liam was ready to be ordained so Tan Phra Ajarn took him back to his home in Mukdaharn, with Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai staying at Poo Gao. Then after taking Novice Prapai to SriMongkon Temple he returned to Poo Gao before going on to Ahphraman in Am-nadcharern District, where he stayed for about 3 months. He moved on down to Ubon, then to Surin and Burirum. When the group reached Surin it was raining hard and it was very cold so they stopped for a while to rest. Just then a stranger named Ajarn Prayoon came along and invited Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai and the group] to go no to practic meditation at Prasart Khao Panomrung, which was only a kilometer away. So when Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai and the whole group wnet there they were very enthralled at the beauty of the place but it was a bit scary and they were dismayed that no one was looking after it. Anyway, it was an ideal place for meditation because it was so peaceful and isolated, so Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai decided to stay there for the Lenten season of B.E. 2503.
Altogether there were 12 monks and novices in the group. The local peoplw around Prasart Khao Panomrung were Cambodians but they were Buddhaists and were eager followers of Tan Phra Ajran Somchai's teachings off the 5 and 8 precepts of the Buddhist faith. Also, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai taught them how to meditate and led them in restoration of the Prasart, cleaning it up and making it even more suitable for meditation practice. And during the time there Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai learned how to speak Khmer. However, only one Lenten season was spent there because as soon as Lent was over Tan Phra Ajarn led the group from Prasart Khao Panomrung, intending to go down south.
When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai left Prasart Panomrung many villagers went to see him off at the railway station. When they arrived at Hualampong Station in Bangkok, Tan Phra Ajarn and the group took a car to Hua Hin and stopped at Rachaidhanaban Temple, where Tan Phra Ajarn Chaluey was the Abbot, before going on up to another temple on the hill where it was very peaceful. The group stayed there for 2 or 3 months before Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai led the group out into the forest and on into the deep jungle until they had reached a Border Patrol Police outpost which had about 5 personel stationed there to protect the forest. When Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo said he intended to go on further, the Border Patrolpolice advised him not to cross into Burma as it was not safe. But the border police were veryhappy to have Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai with them there leading in meditation practice so they set up quarters for the group not too far from the camp. The border police prepared one plate of rice a day for each of the 9 novices. That was all the supplies they had to give. The novices went out in the forest to gather greens so that the group had just enough to eat to subsist on. After 4 months there, Tan Phra Ajarn told the novices to return to Hua Hin, but Tan Phra Ajarn left to go deeper into the forest, reaching Pranburi and going on to Tawai in Burma. That part of the countrty was inhabited by the Karens and Tan Phra Ajarn stayed at Padaneg, Padee and Pla-u villages. These Karens had never seen a monk before. They worshipped spirits and knew nothing about the Triple Gems. NO one had ever taught them about Buddhism.
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's life with the Karens was very difficult and sometimes he had only enough to eat to survive on. Before the time came that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai was able to make the Karens understand, he had to suffer. He could understand very little of the language; even so he tried to teach them about the Buddhis faith si they would turn away from their spirit animistic worship. The headman of the Karens led the villagers in being supportive of Tan Phra Ajarn and they soon learned how to present food in the alms bowl. This happened even though there was still difficulty in communicating. Sometimes they would be told to do one thing, but they would turn around and do another thing. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai told the novices of a funny thing that happened with the Karens. It seems that one day he told the Karens this: "Tomorrow I want you to bring your machetes, hoes and spades to prepare a place for me to meditate in a ciecle." Onhearing this the Karens departed, only to return sometime later with a great quantity of food which they placed at the feet of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai. When Tan Phra Ajarn saw the Karens approaching, he had thought they were coming to prepare his mediattion site, so he had thought to himself: 'These Karens are wonderful. I asked them to do something tomorrow and here they come to do it today.' But now the Karens were there seated in front of Tan Phra Ajarn waiting for him to eat the food they had brought. Tan Phra Ajarn showed their true selves as being sincere, so he decided to save the situation by telling them to help themselves to the food. As they were eating, then, there was Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo the sole Buddhist monk seated and smiling in there midst.
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo stayed with the Karens for about 4 months before returning to the group at Hua Hin. There he asked the group what they thought about moving on, whether to continue on south or return to the Northeast? Then Tan Phra Ajarn Tiwah said: " You should go east for a change, to Chanthaburi where there are many site that are suitable for meditation. The people in Chanthaburi are very faithful followers of the Buddhist faith. They have a good understanding of Buddhist practices because there have been many good teachers in Chanthaburi, e.g. from the school of Luang Boo Mun and Luang Boo Ted, Luang Boo Fun, Tan Pawlee, and Tan Phra Ajarn Mahabua."
Following this suggestion, Tan Phra ajarn Somchai decided to go to Chanthaburi. So it was that in B.E. 2504 Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai, with 10 monks and novices, arrived at Khao Noi Sammpan Temple, Song Pi Nong Tambon, Tah Mai District, Chanthaburi Province. This was an excellent site for meditation. It was isolated and peaceful, the local people were very supportive, and it was not too far to go out and back for the daily alms journey.
However, when contact was made with the head of the sect at the temple, it turned out that there was room for only 5 monks; any more than that would make the situation difficult for meditation practice. Tan Phra Ajaen Somchai's group was compaised of 10 members altogether and they had no desire to split up, so they knew they had to seek another place for meditation practice. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai thought about looking foranother temple somewhere in Chanthaburi but he wondered whether they would have room for the whole group, especially since he and the group did not know anyone in Chanthaburi at all. And if they tried to return to the Northest, they might not make it back before the Lenten season. Anyway, there wasn't any money left for the bus fares.
Just as these worrisome thoughts were going though Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai's mind, two laymen appeared and came to pay respect to Tan Phra Ajarn in the traidtional way for those of the Buddhistfaith. After learning that their names were Mr. Jom Paetpatoom and Mr. Chalerm Taweetham, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai asked: "What is your business in coming here?" Mr. Jom replied, "We've come to sak you to spend the Lenten season at Nern Din Daeng Temple." "Where is the temple?" "It's located in Tambon Toong Benja, Tah Mai District, Chanthaburi," Mr. Jom continued, We've come as the representatives of Nern Din Daeng and Boonbon Villages. Yesterday we went out to temples asking monks to come to spend Lent but they all said they preferred to stay where they were in order to continue their studies. Then, at the last temple we went to, Chantanaram Temple, we were told that you were here and that you did not have a place for the Lenten season. We were very giad to hear that so we hurried here to beg you to come to Nern Din Dang." Tan Phra Ajarn asked, "How many monks do you intend to ask to go?" "However many you wish, Venerable Sir, but at least 4 or 5 would be better." "There are 10 monks and novices in my group, and we wish to spent the Lenten season in the same temple." On hearing this Mr. Jon turned to consult with the other reprasentative: "What shall we do? If we accept the whole group we are not sure that the other members of our group will agree. Also, there may be a problem in supporting a large group properly because there are not many villagers in our villages." Finally, after taking it over, they told Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai that they would have to return to their villages to consult first, and then return the following day to inform him of their decission.
Mr. Jom and Mr. Chalern returned to their homes to consult with the villwagers. The result was that no one had any objection and thay all agreed to everything that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo and the group wished for in this matter. They then went by car to pick up Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai and the monks and novices who were at Khao Noi Sampan Temple. But when they got there they found that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai had left to take care of some personal business at Paknam Kaem-nu in Tah Mai Districe. So they decided to take the monks and novices on shead so that they moght have time to prepare the place and a wait Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai there.
The monks and novices got their things ready and then got in the Jeep of Mr. Ree, who took them from Khao Noi Sampan to Nern Din Dang, The total distance was only about 20 kilometers but the trip took a long time because of the poor roads that formed the route to Nern Din Dang. It certainly was nothig like the convenience of traveling now a days.
The next morning the monks and novices went to work to prepare the place to receive Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai. The laymen, including Mr. Jom, Yuan, Boonchu, Sawaeng and others, arranged a car to mske the third trip to Khao Noi Sampan Temple to fetch Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai. They arrived back safely at Nern Din Dang Temple, just in time for the begining of the Buddhist Lent the next day.
Since there had not been enough time to arrange quarters for everyone in the goup, the monks and novices had to share a hut for many days until new quarters were ready.
So the 2504 Lenten season was spent at Nern Din Dang Temple, which was on a low hill, covered with red dirt and a dense natural forest. The trees provided cool and shady surroundings all say long.
From the time that Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo first entered Nern Din Dang Temple, he started to make improvements, both internal and external. Internally, he taught how to meditate every day without missing a single day. He gave sermons to the lay people who because stronger and stronger in their belief in the teachings of the Buddha. There were many who gave up their vices and some who decided to take up a life of goodness in the temple.
Externally, Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai led the people in construction variuos temple buildings such as quarters for the monks, a pavilion, etc. The people had begun construction of the pavilion but it had only the post and about 10 wooden planks as flooring, wich was not enough space for the group to have the morning meal. Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai led the people in completing the pavilion. In fact, the Lenten season passed very quickly because everyone was so busy making improvements to the temple, including the building of sufficient quarters for all the monks and novices.
Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai Tidhawiriyo and his group of followers spent the tears 2504-2505-2506 ar Nern Din Dang, living a regular and happy life, continuing to improve the temple until it is knoown today as the first temple in Chanthaburi Province to have been built under the ledership of Tan Phra Ajarn Somchai.
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Developer by Mr. Taweesak Rattanakom Science Computer, Rajabhat Institute Rambhaibarni  |