Luang Pu Suk Gesaroh Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao

 

Luang Pu Suk – The Legendary Monk of Supernatural Powers

Luang Pu Suk was widely revered for his extraordinary spiritual abilities and mastery of Buddhist magic. Many seemingly impossible feats were attributed to him, earning him the reputation as the greatest supernatural monk in Thai Buddhist history. He was the only known monk to fully master all four elemental forces—wind, water, fire, and earth—across 108 mystical disciplines. While most monks dedicate their entire lives to mastering just one of these elements, Luang Pu Suk’s unparalleled ability to control all four left both his contemporaries and later generations in awe.

His amulets are ranked among the top five most revered categories in Thai history. Given his immense spiritual power, it is no surprise that amulets consecrated by Luang Pu Suk are regarded as highly potent and among the most sought-after sacred artifacts in Thailand.

The Legacy of Wat Makhamtao

Luang Pu Suk was the abbot of Wat Makhamtao, a temple in northern Thailand. Many miraculous events related to him have been recorded in local histories. One such story recounts that whenever Luang Pu Suk would personally write sacred spells on cloth and hang them in the temple hall, it would draw massive donations from faithful devotees, ensuring that the temple monks were well-supported. His disciples have frequently testified to this phenomenon.

Near the temple, a river flowed, and Luang Pu Suk was known for an incredible miracle—he placed a piece of hemp rope into the water, and when he retrieved it, it had transformed into a crocodile. This story has been passed down through generations and remains one of the most famous accounts of his supernatural abilities. This legend also reminds many of Ajahn Pieng, the teacher of Luang Pu Sanya, who once gifted his daughter a carved wooden crocodile that, upon touching the river, became real. However, unlike Ajahn Pieng’s carefully crafted wooden artifact imbued with energy, Luang Pu Suk merely used an ordinary hemp rope to achieve the transformation.

The Power of Sacred Spells

On one Buddhist holy day, Luang Pu Suk gathered his disciples and proclaimed:
"Today is an auspicious day. I will write an ancient spell called ‘Naruja’ (meaning ‘fame’ or ‘renown’). Hang this sacred cloth in the temple, and you will see many people come to donate to support the monks."

As soon as the spell cloth was displayed, crowds of people arrived unexpectedly, eager to contribute to the temple and provide offerings to the monks. His disciples were astounded, realizing the incredible potency of their master's magic.

Posthumous Miracles and Divine Retribution

Even after Luang Pu Suk passed away, miraculous events continued to occur. In B.E. 2504 (1961), a Thai newspaper reported an attempted theft at Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao. The thieves had stolen a wooden door crafted by Luang Pu Suk himself, intending to sell it overseas. However, after securing the door in their hideout, they encountered a mysterious 13-year-old child who spoke in an unearthly voice, claiming to be the true owner of the door. The thieves, terrified and guilt-stricken, immediately returned the door to the temple. This event was well-documented in Thai literature and temple records, reinforcing Luang Pu Suk’s posthumous spiritual influence.

The Merchant and the Miraculous Gun Incident

During Luang Pu Suk’s lifetime, many extraordinary events occurred. One famous incident involved a group of elephant merchants from Chiang Mai, who were passing through Wat Makhamtao with ten large elephants. They stopped at the temple for a night's rest, allowing their elephants to roam nearby while preparing food.

As they began eating, they realized their food supplies were insufficient. One of the merchants aimed his rifle at a pigeon in the temple, attempting to hunt it for food. However, no matter how many times he pulled the trigger, the gun refused to fire. Frustrated, he aimed at a nearby tree, and to his astonishment, the gun worked perfectly.

Hearing the gunshot, other merchants and temple-goers rushed over. When the incident was recounted, one of the monks explained:
"Luang Pu Suk has decreed that no harm shall come to the pigeons within this temple."

One of the merchants, unconvinced, arrogantly took an axe and attempted to strike his own foot. To everyone’s shock, wooden splinters flew off with each strike instead of injuring him—but at the same time, the temple's wooden pillars began to break apart. It was later revealed that this merchant possessed magical powers of his own, which were interfering with the temple's energy.

Luang Pu Suk, who had been away, returned to the temple and witnessed the destruction caused by the elephants and merchants. He took half of a coconut shell and walked towards the elephants. The next morning, when the merchants went to retrieve their elephants, they were nowhere to be found. Panicked, they sought Luang Pu Suk’s guidance, to which he replied:
"You have desecrated my temple and damaged the crops around it. Now, you must repair everything before you leave. Tomorrow, you will find your elephants."

The merchants complied, and by the next morning, the temple had been restored. Luang Pu Suk led them to the spot where the elephants had been last seen. He pointed to the half coconut shell and said:
"Your elephants are right here."

He lifted the shell, and to everyone’s horror, the elephants were underneath it, reduced to the size of houseflies. Moments later, they returned to their original size. Overcome with awe and reverence, the merchants knelt before Luang Pu Suk, offering their deepest respect before departing.

Enduring Influence and Amulet Power

Luang Pu Suk entered Nirvana in B.E. 2466 (1923), nearly a century ago. Despite his passing, his amulets remain among the most powerful and revered in Thai history. Many collectors and devotees across Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia have recounted numerous modern-day miracles associated with his amulets. These stories range from gamblers winning millions, struggling businessmen finding success, and professionals receiving unexpected career breakthroughs.

His legacy is so profound that he was officially recognized as one of Thailand’s nine greatest Buddhist monks. The amulets crafted under his guidance are ranked among the top five in various sacred categories, including:

• The most powerful prayer beads in Thailand
• One of the five greatest metal Buddha amulets
• One of the five greatest self-image metal monk amulets
• One of the five most sacred Seven Dragon Buddha amulets
• One of the five most renowned divine turtle artifacts

With such an extensive legacy and widespread veneration, there is no doubt about the supernatural strength of Luang Pu Suk’s spiritual power. Additionally, his lifelong dedication to helping others led Thailand’s Buddhist community to officially recognize him as a saint.

A National Icon of Chai Nat Province

Luang Pu Suk is one of the few monks honored as a provincial emblem. When traveling north from Bangkok to Chai Nat Province, a large road sign bearing his image welcomes visitors. In Chai Nat, nearly everyone wears an amulet of Luang Pu Suk, as he is regarded as the spiritual guardian of the province.

The Journey to Monkhood

Born in B.E. 2390 (1847), his birth name was Keatsaves. At the age of 10, his parents sent him to Bangkok to receive an education, where he was adopted by his uncle’s family. He eventually married and had a son.

At 25, he felt a strong calling to monastic life. After obtaining his wife’s permission, he was ordained at Wat Phu Tong Rang, Nonthaburi, under Phra Kru Chui, receiving the monastic name Phra Sook Keatsalo. Initially planning to stay for only one retreat, he became deeply engrossed in Buddhist practice and never returned to lay life.

Luang Pu Suk’s journey into meditative practice and mystical training took him deep into the mountains, where he studied under reclusive hermit monks and gained mastery over powerful spiritual disciplines. His legacy continues to inspire devotees worldwide, solidifying his place as one of Thailand’s greatest monks of all time.