Luang Pu Hin Wat Rakang Kositaram

Born November 9, 1899 in present-day Prey Veng, Cambodia, the boy surnamed Sukkasem entered the
robe early, spending fifteen years as a novice before briefly returning to lay life to support his family.
At 21, he was re-ordained at Wat Thanakhan under Phra Rattanawong (preceptor), with
Phra Ajahn Ram as Kammavācācariya and Phra Mongkol Thera as Anusavanācariya.

His early path was the old forest way: he studied the Trinisinghe yantra, crossed jungle tracks through
Burma, Battambang, and Angkor, and trained with masters in esoteric wicha. By 1922 he had ranged the
border towns of Kabin Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Sukhothai, finally settling for eleven years in Ayutthaya
to help raise halls and ordination spaces at Wat Thang Luang.

A turning point came in 1935. Drawn by the legacy of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya Toh Phrommarangsi,
Luang Pu Hin walked into Wat Rakhang and placed himself under the guidance of Luang Pu Nak.
At Wat Rakhang he became builder, attendant, and teacher — whatever the temple needed. When funds ran thin,
he pressed Somdej amulets and offered them for the sake of the monastery, never as trade.

Elders at Wat Rakhang still tell a night-lamp story: after workers had left, the old monk sat among
powders gathered like a history of merit — Somdej powders from the crypts of Wat Rakhang and Wat Sam Pluem,
Phong Suriyatra, Phong Trinisinghe, Phong Maharaj, with Pilan mixed in for strength.
“Let these protect the people who protect the temple,” he said, and the moulds received another batch.
Soldiers later carried these pieces to the front; many returned to bow in thanks. That first wartime issue would be
remembered as the “Indochina Model” (B.E. 2482).

From 1939 to 1972 his workshop produced distinctive Somdej variants — Garuda Chest, Curtain,
Thread/Yarn, Chedi, Bodhi Leaf — each a lesson in iconography and material virtue. Beyond amulets,
he practiced meditation to depth, knew the old black-arts countermeasures, and learned traditional medicine,
treating thousands who queued at the temple gate.

After 43 years resident at Wat Rakhang, failing health took him temporarily to Wat Kluai, Ayutthaya.
He returned to his beloved pier-side monastery and passed on May 21, 1978, aged 79, completing
58 rains in the robe. Much of what we know comes from the cremation booklet compiled by
Phra Si Suthisophon (Thiang Akkathammo) — a small volume that reads like an inventory of blessings:
the teacher, the temple, and the people lifting one another.

Selected Editions of Phra Somdej by Luang Pu Hin

1) First Edition — B.E. 2482 (“Indochina Model”)

Five prints distributed widely to disciples, police, and soldiers; many war testimonies.

Explore more from Thai Amulets Collection: browse all amulets, monk biographies, or discover katha sacred chants.

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