Ajahn Thammachot

This article is about the historical monk. For for the fortress, see Bang Rachan.

Phra Ajarn Thammachot (อาจารย์ธรรมโชติ) was a Buddhist monk mentioned in some historical accounts of the Bang Rachan camp.[1]

Biography

Phra Ajarn Thammachot was originally named Chot. Upon ordination, he received the Dharma title Thammachot Rangsi. He was a native of Suphan Buri province during the late Ayutthaya period. After ordaining and studying, he resided as abbot at Wat Khao Khuen, also known as Wat Khao Nang Buat. He was highly skilled in kasin meditation and various occult arts, which he had studied and practised over many years, inspiring faith in all who met him.

According to traditional accounts, Phra Ajarn Thammachot resided at Wat Khao Nang Buat in Suphan Buri. Later, the villagers of Ban Bang Rachan invited him to stay at Wat Pho Kao Ton in Sing Buri province.[2] Because of his reputed magical abilities, he inscribed protective spells on prajied headbands and takrut phismon charms, distributing them to the warriors of the Bang Rachan camp.[3]

Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, in his work Thai Fighting the Burmese, wrote that Phra Ajarn Thammachot either disappeared or died when the camp fell to the Burmese, though whether he escaped remains unknown.[4]

However, local belief and legend in Suphan Buri relate that when the Bang Rachan camp was about to fall, his close disciples urged him to flee. A small group of disciples (so as not to arouse suspicion) led him out shortly before the camp’s fall. He then hid in the forests and mountains until the war ended, after which he returned to reside at Wat Khao Nang Buat.

Some versions say that after leaving Bang Rachan, he went directly back to Wat Khao Nang Buat, where his disciples created a hidden chamber in his viharn (which still exists today) for him to meditate, perform meritorious deeds, practise diligently, and offer spiritual aid to all beings, the spirits of fallen heroes, and the villagers of Bang Rachan.

Memorials

Statues of Phra Ajarn Thammachot for public veneration can be found in two locations:

  1. Wat Khao Nang Buat, Nang Buat Subdistrict, Doem Bang Nang Buat district, Suphan Buri province – located on top of Nang Buat Hill with scenic views.
  2. Wat Pho Kao Ton (Sing Buri), Khai Bang Rachan district, Sing Buri province – where he once resided during the Ayutthaya period to boost the morale of Bang Rachan villagers in their fight against the Burmese. The temple contains the Viharn Phra Ajarn Thammachot.

In modern culture

Actors who have portrayed Phra Ajarn Thammachot include:

  • Eup Sai Saengkaew – The Battle of Bang Rachan (1966)
  • Charoen Wetchakasem – Bang Rachan (1980 TV series)
  • Teerayut Pratchayabamrung – Bang Rajan (2000 film)
  • Seree Wangnaitham – Atitha (2001 TV series)
  • Teerayut Pratchayabamrung – Bang Rajan 2 (2010 film)
  • Chartchai Ngamsan – Bang Rachan (2015 TV series)
  • Sorapong Chatree – Atitha (2016 TV series)

References

  1. ^ พระกู้ชาติอาจารย์ธรรมโชติ
  2. ^ "ที่พำนัก พระอาจารย์ธรรมโชติ". Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  3. ^ "วิชาคาถาอาคม พระอาจารย์ธรรมโชติ". Archived from the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  4. ^ "พระนิพนธ์ในหนังสือไทยรบพม่า". Archived from the original on 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
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