History of PeeJok Kumanthep: A Translation

PeeJok

History of Peejok Kumanthep

Peejok has been with Wat Suan Luang for a long time, approximately some 200 years. Wat Suan Luang is located near the Mekong River. In the past it can only be reached by boats. The river curves right in front of the temple and the water erodes the river bank. One day, a piece of wood was seen floating in front of the temple. A villager paddled his boat towards that piece of wood and noticed it resembled the image of a naked boy. Since then, that piece of wood has been located at Wat Suan Luang.

Since the time of Abbot Phraku Samut Viriyaporn or Luang Pu Perk, he had moved the carving of the naked boy next to the altar table in his room. Upon the passing over of Luang Pu Perk, the new abbot noticed the old kuthip has been damaged and has to be demolished. A new kuthip needed to be built. The ubosot project started by Luang Pu Perk was also incomplete. Furthermore, the temple also needed a bell tower. Other wear and tear also needed repairs. It was obvious that he needed money to carry out those renovations and repair works. But he did not have the money. One night the new abbot prayed then sat and meditated in front of the altar. It was almost midnight and in a vision, he saw a little boy 7-8 years of age who called out to him and said: “Luang Por, make images of me. I will help will help you rebuild this temple”. In the past, the temple has not made any images of PeeJok.

“Luang Por, make images of me. I will help you rebuild this temple.”

The new abbot decided to make PeeJok’s images. Firstly, Luang Por created 259 images. PeeJok told the new abbot that he did not need to invite any guru monks to help him consecrate those images and all he needed was to meditate. The new abbot mediated in front of those images for three months before he released that batch of images to raise funds. Quickly, those images were snatched up by devotees and the abbot had to come out with several other batches. Most of the money received from the sales was spent on building the temple. It was pleasant to learn that those who invited PeeJok have their wishes fulfilled be it business, luck, or career. Even the sacred temple hall that enshrines the Buddha statues to allow the Buddhist monks who pay homage there are all built from PeeJok’s money.

The name of PeeJok came from the vision of the new abbot.

“I am no longer a little boy. I am aged. Call me PeeJok.”

He could possibly be 200 years-old. Since PeeJok said he is aged, then let him be addressed as “Pee”.

The miracles of PeeJok may be categorised into wealth, sales, and career. First, it’s wealth. Some of the wealth received is wealth due to devotees whilst some are from the request made to PeeJok. The second is sales. Most business people ask PeeJok to help bring customers to their shops and help them sell more items. The third is most common, devotees asked for promotion and help when they meet obstacles in work. This is evident by the donations devotees made to the temple.

What is the best way to do Kumanthep? Kumanthep are usually made from a variety of materials and usually takes the forms of children. PeeJok Kumanthep also comes in a variety of forms. He is made as a baby figurine or a young boy. Whichever the form, PeeJok Kumanthep comes to help those who respect and truly believe in him.

Vongphong Eiamlao (Miss Maekong), researcher and writer

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