Ajahn Nong

Wat Sai Khao is located in  Pattani Province, Thailand  and is a Maha Nikai Buddhist Temple.

Wat Sai Khao was built in B.E. 2300 and the temple's old church was built in B.E.2478. There are two Nikai or sects of Buddhism in Thailand namely  Maha Nikai and Hinayan Nikai, most of the temples in Thailand are Hinayan Nikai temples.

According to the history of Wat Sai Khao, Mr.Peng or Than Pakdichumpol, who moved from Sraiburi (now part of Malaysia), donated the land and money to build the temple before inviting monks to take up residence.

Wat Sai Khao was established as a juristic person in B.E.2432, and passed the Pook Pattasima ceremony in B.E.2435. (The ceremony was aimed to define the temple area.)

Because of the vast area of the temple, part was used to locate a primary school which has now been in existence since B.E.2460.

Since the construction of  Wat Sai Khao, six abbots have taken up residence, the first one was Luang Phor Man, and the latest one is Luang Por Peng Pamuto B.E 2543, and a direct descendant of Luang Phor Nong Dharma Bhuto

Wat Sai Khao has been continuously developed with many of the buildings renovated such as Pra Vihara, library, belfry, monks' residences  etc. Today it is considered one of the most beautiful temples in the kingdom

Luang Phor Nong Dharma Bhuto, formerly named Mr.Nong Northong, was born the son of Mr. Rueng  and Mrs. Thonpeng, on December 15, B.E.2462, at Tumbol Bankluay, Ma-krood District, Pattani Province. More recently the district's name has changed to Kokbhoti District.

His parents had three children namely; Mrs.Thongchan, Luang Phor Nong Dharma Bhuto and Mr.Nuam

His parents divorced and remarried, and subsequently had a further three daughters,  Mrs. Woon (his stepmothers daughter), Mrs. Nuem Kaewthongprakum  and Mrs Nium Siriphorn (his stepfathers daughter)

As previously mentioned he and Pra Ajahn Tim, were ordained on the same day, and naturally were good friends often helping each other on various missions, including an occasion in B.E.2497 when they both  co-created the Luang Phor Thuad Pranuewan amulets.

These amulets are now very rare and expensive, well beyond the budget of the average collector. Fortunately there are however many amulets that do fall within the range of the enthusiast and in the next article on Ajahn Nong we will be looking at the various amulets he created.

Luang Phor Nong Dharma Bhuto was known as a merciful priest. He often helped the poor, both ordinaries and monks, to be educated. Furthermore, he also helped renovate many buildings, including temples' and public buildings. 

He also devoted his entire life to all of Buddhist affairs, regardless of troubles or hardship.

Due to his dedication to Buddhism and hard work, Luang Phor Nong Dharma Bhuto was plagued with many diseases, including high blood pressure and lung disease. Although he was treated at hospital his conditioned continually worsened.

Eventually, Luang Por Nong Dharma Bhuto passed away at 03.27 a.m., on September 11th, B.E.2542, at Kokbhoti hospital. He was aged 80 years of which 60 were devoted to Buddhism.

His cremation took place at 03.59 p.m., on the 20th May May B.E.2545, at  Wat Sai Khao. Though, his body was burnt, his name will be respected eternally not only by the locals of Patani but by all of Thailand and many international devotees.

His virtues, along with those of Luang phor Tim will be always admired, due to their great devotion to Buddhism and the general public. Not only were they some of Thailand's greatest guru monks but the creators of the legendry Luang Phor Thuad amulet.