FEATURE: Luang Phu Sim, Wat ThamPhaaPlong, Chiang Mai.

Luang Phu Sim, Wat ThamPhaaPlong, Chiang Mai. Rian Sema 12:00, B.E 2517 (1974)

The late Phra Nāṇasidhacān is fondly known and revered throughout the country as Luang Phu Sim, or simply ‘Luang Phu’, which refers to an elderly and highly respected person in monkshood.

Luang Phu Sim was born on 26^th November B.E. 2452 (1909), to a humble peasant family of Baan Bua, Sawang Subdistrict, Pannanikom District, Sakhon Nakhon Province, as one of the seven children of Nai Saan and Nang Singkhum. Both of his parents were known to have been dedicated and supporting of the local monastery. At the age of 17, Luang Phu Sim entered the monkshood by taking a novice ordainment at Wat Rattanaraam, Ban Bua, and shortly afterwards he became a disciple of the great Phra Ajahn Mun Booridhatto at Saam Vong Village, Sri Song Kram District, Nakhon Phanom Province.

At the age of 20, he was fully ordained as a monk at Wat Sri Candravāsa, Khon Khaen Province. Phra Kroo Pisaan Arañaket was the monk who officiated at his ordainment ceremony and Phra Ajahn Singh Khandhañākamo was his main Preceptor. ‘Buddhacāro’ was his given name as a monk.

After he became a monk in the early dry seasons, Luang Phu adopted Dhutaṅgavatra, the custom of wandering in solitude through the forest wilderness, staying in caves and practicing the Dhamma. At the age of 31, he came to Chiang Mai in B.E. 2483 (1940) and built Wat Santidhamma in B.E. 2492 (1949). In later years, he was recognized as the abbot of numerous monasteries in various parts of the country. In B.E. 2502 (1959), he was given ecclesiastical title of Phra Khroo Santivarañāṇa. Between B.E. 2498 (1955) to B.E. 2409 (1966), Luang Phu was invited to be the abbot for the following temples:

• Wat Santi Tham, Chiangmai, from B.E. 2498 (1955) to B.E. 2509 (1966).
• Wat Asokaram, Samut Prakarn, from B.E. 2404 (1961) to B.E. 2509 (1966), when Luang Por Lee passed away, his relatives came to invite him to become an abbot in 1961-1965. 
• Wat Pa Suthawat, Sakon Nakhon, from B.E. 2408 (1965) to B.E. 2509 (1966).

Later in the year B.E. 2509 (1966), Luang Phu decided to resign all his abbot duties and decided to go on Tudong to practice Vipassana and live in the forest. Luang Phu went on foot all the way to the north of the country.

At the end of the Buddhist Lent that year, after travelling around to find a place for his solitary  practice and by fate he found PhaaPlong Cave, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai, which seems to be a proper place for the solitary practice. In B.E. 2510 (1967), he established a monastery in these remote mountains that has remained his residence until the last day of his life.

His service to Buddhism can be seen from his regular strict routine: waking up at 03:00 a.m. to make prayer the Buddha, presenting a sermon at 06:00 a.m., going about alms making at O7:00 p.m. and after breakfast he would meditate. He also delivered public sermons and devoted his time and effort almost exclusively to teaching on Dramma (the Lord Buddha’s teachings) for the whole of his life.

Because of his devotion to Buddhism and his own virtue, His Majesty the King Bhumibol granted him one of the highest honour to be conferred as ‘Phra Ñāṇasidhacan’ on 12^th August B.E. 2535 (1992).

Luang Phu passed away peacefully on 14^th August B.E. 2535 (1992), at the age of 83 with 63 years in monkshood. His Majesty the King Bhumibol and Her Majesty the Queen Sirikitti presided over his funeral ceremony, which was also attended by people from all walks of life, government officials, merchants, people and his disciples from all over the country.

Although he has passed on for years, his virtue is still in people’s memories and his teachings live on, manifesting the righteous truth of life.

(Source: A placard at Wat Tham Pha Plong; https://swabhava.wordpress.com/2015/12/15/wat-tham-pha-plong-and-luang-Phu-sim/)

This Rian Luang Phu Sim Roon 6 Phim Sema Yai 12:00 (12 O’clock) was made in B.E. 2517 (2514) using Neur Thong Deang material consecrated by Luang Phu Sim and co-chanted by Luang Phu Wean of Wat DoiMaePung, Chiang Mai as well. Both masters learnt from the same Ajahn Mun and thus were very close friends, always extending invitation to each other whenever there was consecration ceremony at each other’s temple. This batch of Rian was donated by Thammasat University & Politics (Politics was removed from the university name after B.E. 2498 (1955) due to political climate then).

to assist in raising building funds for Wat Hua Nong, Wang Chai Subdistrict, Borabue District, Maha Sarakham Province.

There are both Phim Yai and Phim Lek (Big and Small mould) created for this batch with Neur Ngern, Neur Nawa and Neur Thong Deang. There is also a box set of four Rians consisting of Neur Ngern, Neur Nawa, Neur Thong Deang Galia Thong  and Neur Thong Deang for distribution to Thammasat University’s officials and students that contribute to this merit making.

Phim Yai made:

• Neur Ngern not more than 100 pieces
• Neur Nawa Loha not more than 100 pieces
• Neur Thong Deang & Galia Thong not more than 5000 pieces

Phim Lek made:

• Neur Ngern not more than 100 pieces
• Neur Nawa Loha not more than 100 pieces
• Neur Thong Deang & Galia Thong not more than 100 pieces