Merit making and congratulatory homage for Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo’s birthday anniversary, September 17-18, 2009
A large congregation of Buddhists from throughout Thailand and several foreign countries travelled to join a merit making ceremony and pay congratulatory homage for Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo, head of the Sangha of Wat Pa Khanti Dhamma and Chairman of Moral and Quality of Life Promotion Foundation, on his birthday anniversary. The activity was organized at Wat Pa Khanti Parami branch 1, Tambon Saimoon, Amphor Pibun Mungsaharn, Ubol Ratchathani province. People lit thousands of candles as a blessing gesture for Luang Pu. They later listened to his Dhamma discourse, then following morning gave foods to monks. Some devoted followers also donated 3 Mercedez Benz model E200 cars to Luang Pu for use in his propagation of Buddhist Dhamma. People also joined an auspicious first piling ceremony for theconstruction of Sunandha Maha Vihara Dhamma Sala, a pavillion estimated to cost over 1,500 million Baht.
On 17-18 September 2009, a large number of Buddhists from inside Thailand and other countries, including Laos, and Malaysia, travelled to Ubon Ratchathani province, to join the merit making and congratulate Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo on his birthday. This year’s activity was organized at Wat Pa Khanti Parami branch 1, Tambon Sai Moon, Amphor Pibunmungsahan, Ubol Ratchathani province. Since early morning, people started to arrive in streams. The temple had prepared a shuttle bus to pick up visitors from the parking space at the route entrance to the temple ground. People who joined the activity said they were delighted to join the activity. Many people indicated that, although they had previously listened to Luang Pu’s talks at other places, but it was their first time to this activity. They were impressed, despite the muddy ground due to recent rains that the temple had tried its best to remedy the situation. People realized that this was a new temple, just established only 5 months ago, yet it was very important place for Luang Pu. Although they might not feel comfortable and the temperature was quite hot but they were pleased to attend Luang Pu’s birthday activity.
When people first arrived at the temple, they went straight to pay homage to Luang Pu at the Thai house. The temple had set up tents and prepared display boards to show pictures of Luang Pu’s recent activities, with descriptions in Thai and English. Then, people had a chance to donate some money to help filling up the 9 Phapa trees. The temple also organized a souvenir boot for anyone who wished to buy amulets and other good-luck charms. Medical tent was also set up by the Pibunmungsahan municipality. A number of donors also set up tents offering free meals and drinks throughout the day.
Around 3:30 p.m. of September 17, 2009, monks commenced the chant. People started taking vows accepting the 8 precepts and wore their white-robes. A Payas rice dessert cooking ceremony was also conducted by a group of virgin ladies. The venerable Pra Dhammadhitijana (Chief of Sangha Region 10, Dhammayuti Nikaya), and Luang Pu Nenkham Chattigo and other monks also joined this activity. Khun Mae Dr.Sunandha Leelertbhan president of Twin Lotus Co., Ltd. and her entourage also closely observed the ceremony. The Payas cooking ceremony was organized for every birthday activity of Luang Pu and he would give the cooked Payas to monks receiving alms in the following morning of September 18. People would also get some as a blessing token as well.
On the night of September 17, people gathered in front of a stage, waiting to listen for the Dhamma discourses. An opening ceremony was officially launched by Mr. Narongsak Kosalwat, Mayor of Pibunmungsahan Township and chairman of the organizers, who made a report speech. Khun Mae Dr. Sunaddha, made an opening speech. Ativities on stage started with a traditional Northeastern Thai dance amid a blessing song, organized by housewives of Tambon Nong Bua, Amphor Kanthrarom, Sisaket province, followed by a musical show with the song “Luang Pu Nenkham”, then a “White flower song” by a girl named “Jasmine” from Amphor Charoen Silp, Sakol Nakhon province, followed by a chinese martial art dance, and fan dance, and concluded by a Universal Music show by the team of Dr. Chukiet Chairuekit.
The Dhamma discourse was given over an hour by Pra Dhammadhitijana, the abbot of Wat Bueng Palanchai, Roi Et province (Chief of Sangha Region 10, Dhammayuti Nikaya), followed by a discourse by Pra Ratchadhammakosol, Chief of Sangha for Ubol Ratchathani province.
At 2 a.m. of September 18, the birthtime of Luang Pu, monks and people paid homage to Luang Pu by lighting pink candles as a sign of blessing. Fireworks were lit, creating an impressive atmosphere for the crowd. Luang Pu then kindly made a remark that “The light from candles that people have lit today are like the light of wisdom that would brighten the minds of all. Every candle, every lit frame would bring successful benefits to everyone”. Subsequently, Luang Pu told the gathering to bring the flame out candles back to their homes and re-light them as a fortune symbol. Then, Luang Pu gave a 50 min discourse on practical aspect. He also informed the audience on the importance of this temple, for it was formerly his family’s paddy field. Luang Pu said he spent a lot of his childhood time doing sit-meditations, stand-meditations, walk meditations, lie down-meditations in this area. At that time he also made a wish, that if he has sufficiently amassed Parami (merit) he wished this paddy land would become a Dhamma land, a golden land that Buddhism would prosper. But at that time, he was still very young and innocent and felt discouraged by what he saw at that time that this location would become a land of Buddhism, that thousands of people from evey direction would come to practice Dhamma and followed the Lord Buddha’s path. Having monks who continue providing guidance to people is fascinating, just like thousands of candle lights that had lit up that day. His talk also emphasized his mission, “to be the captain of a big crystal sea boat that will take Buddhists to travel against waves of coming Kilesa (taints for the mind) to reach Nirvana. He is following the tract of Lord Buddha and intend to sustain Buddhism to reach its 5 millennia lifespan (as prophesied by the Buddha)”. Luang Pu also said that he was delighted to see thousands of people coming although there were discomforts with muddy field. The extraordinary faiths of the people had encouraged him to continue his mission of propagating Buddhism. He also said that “Every Buddhist is like my eyes, that one has to be nurtured, so that each of you would see the light of Dhamma”.
Subsequently, people also had a chance to listen to an hour of Dhamma discourse by Pra Kru Dhamadhorn (Luang Pu Aew Sudhammapalo, formerly Professor Dr. Aew) from Wat Mahathad, Bangkok. At 4:30 a.m., monks led the people to conduct the morning chants. After the monks had their morning meal, the key event started by Pra Dhammadhitijana and all the monks’ chanting of the Jayamangala mantra Later that day, Luang Pu Somboon Khantigo, the preceptor and master of Luang Pu Nenkham also came to the activity. Then, Mr. Rad Sukphon, and Mrs. Soodjai Sukphon, the biological parents of Luang Pu Nenkham arrived. Then, Pra Dhammadhitijana, Luang Pu Nenkham, Dr. Sunandha and others jointly ceremonially laid a first brick and started the first piling for the construction of Maha Vihara Sunandha Dhamma Sala, while the monks chanted mantra.
After the first inaugural piling, Khun Mae Sunandha and her daughter Ms. Nichapha Lietherachote, owner of Ayarin Drink, and Khun Mae Yupin Luaprasong, Kamnan (Head of Tambon) Danchang, Suphan Buri province, donated 3 E200 class Mercedes Benz cars, licensed plate numbers 7777, 8888, and 9999 Bangkok, for Luang Pu Nenkham to use in his traveling missions.
Then, Luang Pu Nenkham went to receive lustral water from Pra Dhammadhitijana and Pra Ratchadhammkosol, from other senior monks, and from Luang Pu Somboon Khantigo. They also consented to other monks to also give lustral water as a congratulatory gesture. Eventually, all the people had a chance to give lustral water to Luang Pu. As gifts, they received from Luang Pu some DVD (Luang Pu’s own Dhamma discourse), mantra booklet, and some Twin Lotus products.