Wat Khun Aram
Temple of the Mummified Monk, Koh Samui, Thailand
Your base for exploring this destination is the tourist resort island of Koh Samui. For travel information about Koh Samui, read the Koh Samui Travel Guide. To prepare for your trip to Thailand, read the AsiaExplorers Thailand Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation? Find good clean accommodation at the Budget Accommodation Guide!
Wat Khun Aram (also written Wat Khunaram) is the famous temple of the Mummified Monk, Luang Por Daeng Piyasilo (also written Dang Piyasilo). The monk's full name is Phra Khru Samathakittikhun, son of Luang Pitak and Noi Heet Sa-Ngarat. He entered monkhood at the age of 20, for 2 phansa (phansa is an annual period lasting about 3 months during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in their residing wats). After leaving monkhood, he got married, and fathered six children. As a layman, he was financially well-to-do and well accepted in his community.
After the Second World War, Luang Por Dang became a monk again. He was exactly fifty years old at that time. He began practising tranquil meditation in the Yai Cave at the foot of Khao Ma-ngaen. He remain at Yai Cave for two years before moving to Hua Laem So.
He passed away at the age of 79 years and 8 months. It is said that he was able to foresee his own death. For unexplain reasons his body remained unspoiled after his death. Thus his offsprings and disciples seated his corpse in an upright casket which was hastily made just like what he wanted. The casket was placed on the Sala in Wat Khunaram, in the "Nirvana Room".
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