Wat Kunaram, Lamai

Wat Kunaram, Lamai

Wat Kunaram, Lamai is best known for it's Mummified Monk, known all around Samui but also known from the National Geographic Channel, which had a feature about Wat Kunaram and it's mummified monk.

Today I found myself on one of the 'around the island trips', which on the ring road, all around, is maybe 65 km's.

A great stop is Wat Kunaram, with it's Mummified Monk.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; The entrance gate

Coming from Lamai, this is how to recognise the Temple or Wat Kunaram; it's on the left side of the road, not too far away from the Nam Muang waterfall.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; Here's a picture of the 'Bot' of Wat Kunaram. 

The "Bot's" are traditionally used when men are ordained as monks, and there is a central ball in the middle of the building, which is suspended on a rope and used as a focal point of the ancient ordination ceremony.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; The building housing the mummified monk

The building that houses the Mummified Monk. Upon entering the Temple, on your right hand with small steps leading up to the entrance.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; Background information

A brief explanation about the origins of the Monk, Phra Khru Samathakittikhun (Dang Piyasilo) or Loung Por Daeng. He, was born in 1894 and was a well respected family man within the local community on Koh Samui and first become ordained as a monk when he was in his early twenties. He spent two years in Wat Samret before exiting and marrying a local lady from Lamai with whom he had six children, a few still alive on the island as of today.

Upon reaching fifty years of age, once his children were all grown up, Loung Por Daeng, decided to dedicate the latter part of his life to Buddhism and returned to the temples where he felt so at peace. He was ordained as a monk in 1944.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; Here's a picture of Phra Khru Samathakittikhun (Dang Piyasilo) or Loung Por Daeng, it's fairly difficult to get a good shot, due to the lightning.

He then traveled to Bangkok where he spent some time studying and learning more about Buddhist texts and meditation, one of the great passions of his life.

It is believed that upon returning to Koh Samui he went to meditate in a cave, Tham Yai in Lamai, which is located within present day Tamarind Springs.

Later he moved to Chaweng and was one of the first monks to stay in the location that nowadays is known as Wat Pang Bua.

He was one of the first Jao Wat's, which is the Thai term for Abbot, who led the temple into its present existence.

Following this, he decided to return to his family home, which was located just behind the current Wat Kunaram where the temple school is located.

Most famously, two months before his death, at the age of 79 years and 8 months, he requested the company of his students to inform them that he felt his death was imminent and wanted to instruct them as to his last wishes. He requested that should his body decompose that he be cremated and his ashes scattered at the famous 'Saam Jaeg' in Hua Thanon, meaning the three forked road intersection, in Thai.

He went on to request that should his body not decompose, he would like to stay at the temple and be placed in an upright coffin on display as a symbol to inspire future generations to follow Buddhist teachings and be saved from suffering.

In his final seven days of mortal life, he no longer spoke to anyone or ate or drank anything, concentrating solely on his mediation and the path to enlightenment. He died a week later in the same position that we can see him sitting in nowadays.

He's in impeccable condition considering he died 30 years ago and on his head one can still see some hairs.

When his eyes fell into his head, the monks at the temple fitted him with some sunglasses.

He is still sitting in the original position of his meditation.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; Directly next to the building that houses Loung Por Daeng, one can find this interesting display of coins and paper money from all over the world, that visitors left at the temple.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; Amulets for sale

No temple is complete without selling amulets of it's own temple. Here one can purchase amulets of Loung Por Daeng, these are believed to bring good luck and fortune when worn around the neck. However, one must also treat the amulet with respect and always keep the it above floor level or it shall lose it's charm.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai; Blessings

A Thai tradition is having a white or bright colored string around the wrist. Each temple offers this and in Wat Kunaram it seems to be a day job for the monks.

Wat Kunaram, Lamai

Here's a picture of another traditional part of each temple, seven Buddha statues representing the seven days of the week, so one can worship the day one is born.

The temple is well worth a visit just to see this extraordinary mummy of Loung Por Daeng. Despite a constant increase of tourist visitors over the years, Wat Kunaram retains much of the Buddhist traditions and ambience of the time when Loung Por Daeng meditated there. It has not turned into a tourist museum but more a place of historical and cultural heritage that to many is seen as the site of a true Buddhist miracle.

With thanks to an article about Wat Kunaram in the local magazine Community, the July 2007 issue.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two.

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned.

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Camille

Updated 9th June, 2017