The Legend Of Luang Pu Thuad (Than Ong Dam)– Second Installment

     Since the day when Luang Pu Thuad disappeared at Wat Phra Kok in Saiburi (current Kedah state in Malaysia), at the same time there emerged  a monk in his youth who possessed many magical powers. There were much miracles and unexplainable phenomenon that happened around him. He was held in high esteem and highly respected by local devotees. Strangely, nobody knew where he came from. He was described as a tall man and having dark complexion. Devotees at that time only knew him as “Than Ong Dam” and a meditative forest master. The meaning of “Dam” means black.
     It was known that the monk imposed strict practice standard upon himself. Because of his liking for austerity precepts, he went to Malaysia from Thailand travelling there by foot. Along the way, he had glorified Buddhism and helped my devotees. It was when he was at an advance age that he stationed in a small village known as Air Kala. The villages there highly respected him. Then one day, Than Ong Dam informed his devotees that if he should passed on one day, he wanted them to move his body to Wat Chang Hai in Pattani province for funeral rites as he explained that the place was his origin. This happened about 300 years ago. Apparently,  Than Ong Dam knew that Air Kala would come under Malaysia later at that time.

              

     Not long after that, Than Ong Dam passed away at 92 years old, in a rubber estate near Air Kala village. It was in the Buddhist Calendar year 2217 (presently BE 2553,  year 2010). The disciples held a discussion as to how to transport Than Ong Dam’s body to Pattani. Finally, they came up with the idea to make a four corner bed carrier. It was also covered on top with mosquito net and to be carried by 4 men at a time. The body of Than Ong Dam was kept at Air Kala for a night and the journey to transport his body was set on the next day. During early morning the next day, they headed off. It was only by night fall that they reached another village known as Pengkalan Hulu located in the state of Perak (a Thai village at that time). They spend a night there to rest and recuperate, and headed off again the next morning.

     By the time they reached the 3rd stop, it was night fall again. They were at Padang Pliang, a village in the Kedah state where they lodged at the famous Siamese temple, Wat Thepsuwannaram. The next stop, the 4th location they lodged, was another Siamese temple known as Wat Thung Kwai. It was the only temple in central Kedah which housed the ashes of the meditative master in a Chinese village known as Kampung Cina. The temple was later renamed as Wat Por Saereeyaram which has specially constructed a relic stupa to enshrine Than Ong Dam ashes.

     The next stop was Naka, a Thai village and after resting, they proceeded to reach the 6th stop which was about 600km away from the Naka. Initially, there was no plan to stopover the 6th. However, the bed carrier started to give rise to some problems and repair was very much needed in order to continue the journey. Hence, the master’s body had to be placed in a safe location first in order to repair the bed carrier. As it was already a few days from the day they had started the journey, the dead body gave rise to a strong stench as it started to decay. Fluid started to ooze from the body and certain spots were dripped to the ground. Whenever that happened, the devotees would carve a lotus flower from sandal wood to cover it. As a result, not long after, molds began to form at those spots by themselves and devotees of that area would offer their prayers there.


     The same phenomenon happened at the 7th stop located in a Thai village known as Padu in a Pavilion. It was not far from Wat Phikhun Thararam. When master’s body was rested for the night, the fluids from the body that contacted the ground caused moulds to form again. The next resting stop, the 8th stop was at Wat Dindang located in Tanah Merah in the North eastern part of Kedah. Finally, they arrived at the 9th stop at Wat Parittaram in Padang Senai, which was the final stop in Malaysia as they neared the Malaysian Thai border. The mould that formed here has reached a height of one foot presently and is regarded as sacred stone.

     In total, the devotees whom carried the master’s body had 9 stops within the boundaries of Malaysia before entering Thailand. After crossing the border to Thailand, there were two stops, making a total of 11 stops. They had stopped over at Wat Baan Thamtalo and Wat Baan Lekkachawa before finally arriving at Wat Chang Hai.
     The question as to whether Somdej Chaophrakok Langka, Than Ong Dam and Luangpu Thuad were the same master who stepped on the sea water and turning it into clean water, it remains a mystery till today. There was no clear indication from ancient records. Analysis was done personally by anthropologists pertaining to this issue in Malaysia and it was believed that they referred to the same person.  The ashes of the great meditative master was enshrined by his disciples at the relic stupa at Wat Chang Hai, just next to the Buddha relic stupa which was donated by King Bhumipol Adulyadej.

The route of transportation from Sami Mati to Wat Chang Hai

                                  

Write by: Clement Lim