Monday, April 13, 2009

Biography of LP Teh



LP Teh (B.E.2434~2524) was ordained as a novice monk at the age of 15. He resided in Wat Gahlong, a forest temple where his uncle was the abbot. LP Teh was ordained as a monk at the age of 20 years old. LP Teh became the close disciple of Luang Phor Tah, who taught him everything he knew about Dhamma and Sammadhi.

LP Tah would bring LP Teh with him whenever he went tudong, until LP Teh had gained enough experience to go tudong alone. After LP Tah passed away in B.E.2465, LP Teh left for Wat Takong in Nakhon Pathom. LP Chaem was the abbot of Wat Takong at the time and he was extremely well known for his strict practice in Dhamma and high attainment in Saiyasaat (magical arts). LP Chaem unselfishly imparted everything that he knew on the subjects of Dhamma, meditation, tudong and saiyasaat to LP Teh.

It was said that LP Teh was a monk who possessed alot of metta and bahramee. Whenever he went for tudong, many villagers would give money and things to him, but LP Teh never accepted any of them, except the morning alms only.

LP Teh was very well-known for making kuman. The earliest monasteries in Thailand to make kuman are both Wat Sam Ngam and Wat Takong. It was believed that LP Teh had the ability to see wandering souls that roamed the surroundings, especially souls of those young children. In order to give an opportunity for those souls to make merit before rebirth, LP Teh decided to cast the souls into a child-like statues and give it people who needed help. LP Teh had learned such art from LP Chaem and also an unnamed monk from Cambodia.

There once lived an unlucky food peddler in the town center of Nak Kan Bahn. He was a great chef but no matter how hard he worked, he did not succeeds in his business. One morning while travelling to the town to set up his stall, he met LP Teh along the way. Immediately, he put down his stuff and scooped a big bowl of food and presented it to LP Teh. After finishing the food, LP Teh walked along with the peddler and spoke with him, whom came to know about his hardship and misfortune.

As they parted ways, LP Teh took out a clay doll-like statue from his bag and gave it to the peddler. He told him to treat it well everyday so that his luck will change. Soon after that, the peddler's business got better and better. He then came to know that statue was called kumantong.

Many occasions were recorded that people wearing LP Teh's amulets were unharmed from accidents and stories told by many that they were saved from both evil spirits and ghosts after wearing LP Teh's amulets. It is also believed that it will bring great Metta to one by wearing amulets of LP Teh.


partial information extracted from: