Tok Raja

Tok Raja of Wat Uttamaram Pasir Mas Kelantan. ( BE2419 - BE2505)

Khron Ratchanaren (known as Tok Raja) was born on Thursday December 1, BE2419 (1876). He was sent to Wat Uttamaram by his parents when he was 12 years old to learn Buddhism and Thai language. He stayed with Archan Lok who was the temple Chief Abbot at that time. He had showed great interest in Buddhism and became a "Dek Jom" under the supervision of monks in the temple. He once told the devotees that even from an early age, he cherished the ambition of joining the monk hood and stay in the temple to learn Buddhism. Tok Raja joined monkhood on Jun 15, BE2438 when he was 21 years old. The ordination took place at Wat Uttamaram and he was then given a Buddhist name known as Punnaksuwanno. After becoming a monk, he stayed at Wat Uttamatam for two phansa before travelling to Southern Thailand to learn Pali language. He stay at Wat huaphom Nai in Songkhla learned "Phrakhatha vertmon" which consist of "Khamphi Mulkachai" and "Khamphi Thammadboth" in Wat Huaporm Nai as well as Vipassana Kammatharn technique in Songkhla for 15 years.

In the year 2449 BE, Tok was appointed Chief Abbot of the Wat for 10 years. He became the Chief Abbot of Wat Mai Suwankhiri for 6 years before been transferred back to Wat Uttamaram and became the Chief Abbot of the Wat in year 2468 BE. He taught Vippassana meditation and ubasok ubasika Buddhaborisat to the kampung folks and Buddhist fundamentals as well as Vertmon Katha to his pupils. In BE2470 He was appointed as Phra Palas Thananukrom. In BE2476 he became Upatchaya, BE2484 he was appointed as Phra Khru Vicarn and BE2488 he became the Chief Abbot of Kelantan State known as Phra VicaranayanmuniTok's role in the deployment of Dharma knowledge and spreading of Buddha's teachings. When Tok came back from Songkhla Thailand, he stressed a lot on knowledge skill. In early year of BE2491, Thai Buddhism has spread out of the country especially to the neighbouring country. Tok has waited for the opportunity to open up such school for long time and has establish the same Naktham school in the year BE2492 and the first school was established in Wat Uttamaram Bangsek itself.

Tok spent his non-meditation hours in research into ancient and forgotten manuscripts which revealed ceremonies and prayers for every occasion. He made searching enquiries into information gleaned from his readings. Tok Raja used the latex from a special tree found in the jungle of Malaysia and Thailand for all his amulets. This special tree can produce a type of gas for protection from animals or human and this gas will made you very itchy and may get rashes when you come into contact with it. The latex is worst, if it got onto your body, your skin will get burnt and swollen. However Tok Raja is not affected by all this acidic chemical and he use his bare hand to collect the latex and then mixed with other holy powders to make his amulets.

He never considered unlikely or as far-fetched the stories he had read or heard of how and where priceless documents had been hidden in times of peril. He explored caves which others fear to enter and seldom found his mission unfruitful.From these ancient writings he copied the prayers and chants which are the weapons he uses in his self-imposed war against Black Magic. He tried the effect of these prayers upon himself when sick, and at all times opportunity offered itself to test his Faith & Power.One day, a novice brought to him a very aged document which he knew was something precious as it has been zealously guarded heirloom. Tok found that the documents described how a sacred tongkat (wand) should be constructed and the ingredients that went into its making. The tongkat was too powerful for the novice who made no use of it.On his death-bed, the novice gifted the tongkat to Tok Raja. Since then, it has never been out of his sight for a fleeting moment. He carried it with him wherever he goes and when asleep, it rests beside him.He has put the tongkat to good use in effecting cures both physical and mental. No ordinary man can touch the tongkat without feeling its Power.He has attained so high a standard of perfection and he was no mere mortal. By a few seconds of association with someone, or at a glance, he can say if the person seeking his help is clean in heart, a genuine sufferer or a fake if he has come to him convinced that only prayer can save life.Tok had never refuse aid and preached Dharma to those fake instead. He certainly was a modern Miracle Worker who convinces you of the unbelievable stories from the recovery of a dying man to saving from been possessed of evil spirit and even non Buddhist experience similar wonders in resolving their problems. Tok built the Kelantan first Naktham school in Wat Uttamaram (2nd School in Malaya after Kedah) and constructed Ubosoth (Both) and Kutis surrounding the temple.

Due to old age, Tok passed away on November 19, BE2505 , 15 days before the conferment of "Chao Khoon" title bestowed to him by the King of Thailand, his Highness King Phumibol Adulyadeth where Tok was invited to be present at the King Palace in Bangkok on December 5, BE2505.

Tok Raja was famous of his Pitha and I hope to get a pic of the amulet my friend have, it's a 2-sided amulet- pitha on one side and Tok Raja of the other side.According to him, it's a very old amulet given to him by someone who is a collector. He have given my husband an amulet and reminded him to wear it whenever he go to meet clients and we can see, It helps!

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