Somdej Toh

[peacock]

SomDej Phra Putthachan Toh Promarungsri

The origin of the name Somdej came from a Sir name. Any person with a blood line descendent fom loyalty carried with it a prefix Sir name Somdej. Example, Somdej Toh simply imply that is name is Toh and he had descendent from loyalty. In the older day, monks were not entitle to create Somdej amulets unless they have such bloodline or a special commission from the king.

Somdej Toh (1788-1872; B.E. 2331-2415), known formally as Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi, was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand's Rattanakosin Period.

Somdej Toh was born in Kamphaeng Phet Province during the reign of King Rama, morning of the 17th April, B.E.2331 (A.D.1788). Somdej Toh was named "Toh" before his monkhood and then "Phomarangsi" as his ordination-name. His mother, Gade, daughter of Chai, lived at Tambon Tarr-It, Amphur Tarr-Poh (now Amphur Muang) in Uttaradit Province. His father’s name was unknown to the public; they only knew that he came from other province, with some believing possibly the son of King Rama I.

He studied the Buddhist scriptures of the Pali Canon with several Buddhist masters. When Somdej Toh was young, he studied at ChaoKhun Arunyik Institute, Wat Intarawiharn in Bangkok. At the age of 12 in B.E.2343, he was ordained novice by ChaoKhun Bowonwiriyataera. Later he had moved to Wat Rakang to study Pra-Pariyuttidham which means the study of the words of Buddha. After becoming a well-known monk, he became the preceptor for Prince Mongkut, who become a monk, and later King Rama IV.

He was noted for the skill of his preaching and his use of Thai poetry to reflect the beauty of Buddhism, and for making amulets call "Somdej". The amulets were blessed by himself and other respected monks in Thailand.

During Rama IV's reign Somdej Toh was given the ceremonial name Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi. Somdej Pra Bhuddhachara Toh Prohmarangsri (we called him as Somdej Toh or Archan Toh among amulet collector) the most famous and beloved monk in the nineteenth century in Thailand.

He was noted for the skill of his preaching and his use of Thai poetry to reflect the beauty of Buddhism, and for making amulets called Somdej. The amulets were blessed by himself and other respected monks in Thailand.

It was said, that at the age of 20 the king gave Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh an official title of Narkluang (Someone who is in a process of being ordained as a Budhist priest). This was during the time when he was still at Wat Ta Krai in Pitsanulok. Eventually, Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh became an abbot of Wat Rakang Kositaram and was promoted to the title of Somdej Pra Bhuddha Jarn. Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh was highly intellectual and great in performing sermons. He is considered to be the most well known, respected, and beloved monk of the Thai people.

Somdej Toh was sick and died on Saturday the 22, June in B.E2415 B.E at the age of 85.

Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh left with us his lasting legacy and his blessing to the people of Thailand with the Pra Somdej that was blessed by him and the top Buddhist masters of his time. There are several pim designs of Pra Somdej that were blessed by Phra Puttachan Toh. The one design that all serious collectors seek is the large pim, "Somdej pim yhai". This is considered to be the rarest and most expensive of all his pim designs. Other pim designs seem less attractive in comparison. For someone to find a large pim of Pra Somdej made by Somdej Pra Bhuddha Jarn Toh that is still in good condition is very difficult and most people prefer not to part with their either. In Thailand, a large Somdej prices can easily exeed $10 MillionThai Baht. Example, there were several and one particular SomDej own by Mr. Khru Eheu was priced at $50 Million Baht.

During his time, Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh would give a Phra Somdej to the Thai people everytime he was invited to important events, to bless a new home, or during a simple lunch invitation. Before giving out one of his Somdej, Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh often give his blessing and tell the person accepting the Phra Somdej that this amulet would bless them with happiness and prosperity. It is known that the material for making a Pra Somdejs is comprised of powdered sea shells, powdered limestones, gold dust, Phong Vises ( holy powder), burned blessed scrolls, assorted flowers from a shrine, his left over rice from meals, lotus, bananas, ashes from celemonial incense, honey, tang oil, etc.

Another contribution of Somdej Toh is the Chinabunchorn (Jinnabunchorn/JiNaPaJaRa) Katha. The Pra Katha Chinabunchorn was an ancient Buddhist katha, inherited from Langka city, and was found in an ancient book by Somdej Toh. The Katha was improved and rewrite by Somdej Toh of Wat RaKhang. The Pra Katha Chinabunchorn is very powerful katha and believed to be the supreme Buddhist spell because the words of this katha invite the magic power of Lord Buddha Somdej Pra Sammasambuddhachao, other Lord Buddhas and Pra Arahuntaras (supreme monks who're nearly enlightened ) to protect the worshipper from their heads to their toes in addition to dispelling all evil.