Luang Phor Mee

Luang Phor Mee was a famous geiji ajaan of Ayutthaya province. He learnt from the best monks in that era – Luang Phor Parn the great Bodhisatta, Luang Phor Chong, Luang Phor Opasi etc. Luang Phor Parn often sent his disciples, including Luang Phor Mee on tudong in order to train their minds. Going l on tudong would expose the monks to various obstacles and challenges, that would rouse the defilements in one’s mind. This was a good way of checking one’s state of practice and level of mental purification.

Once when Luang Phor Mee was with his fellow monk peers on tudong, he was made aware that the Chao Paa Chao Khao (Guardian Spirit of the Forests and Mountains) wanted to offer him alms food that day. Hence Luang Phor summoned the other monks and told them that if they were to see something strange that day, they should not bother too much about it. 

In particular, they should not gossip or discuss the matter, and do not speak to anyone who is offering them alms later that morning. They should establish mindfulness of their body and mind or keep reciting their katha. 

Luang Phor kept nagging at them until they all agreed, before he began the alms round. He led the monks on a route which led towards the dense jungle. All they could see were trees without even a single row of houses. 

That morning, all the monks walked very mindfully but there were still no signs of civilisation or inhabitation. 

When the route seemed to be heading towards a dead end, the monks saw a little girl with curly hair, about 12 years of age, dressed like a typical villager who lived next to the forest. 

She was standing, holding a bowl of rice, waiting to offer almsfood to the monks. Luang Phor observed that this strange girl standing there in the middle of nowhere was probably not a human being, but he did not pay attention to the matter. He walked calmly as he usually did and stopped for her to put a ladle of rice into his almsbowl. 

Luang Phor Mee later related to his disciples, “When I approached this girl, just smelling the aroma of the fragrant rice in her bowl was enough to make my hunger vanish instantly. 

The child scooped up one ladle of rice to give to each monk in a respectful and neat manner, but she did not offer any other side dishes. 

Each monk took his offering in turn having lined up in a row. When we returned from alm round, we all had our meal. The rice grains were white in color and larger than usual. 

When I put it in my mouth, the rice was so fragrant and soft, unlike any other rice I had before. 

After finishing this meal, I felt full and satisfied all day long.”

“It was strange that there was a girl who would offer food to monks in the middle of the deep forest, where there was no village or houses. 

So the monks all lost their mindfulness and started gossiping about this matter, some argued it was a tewada, some said it was a nang fa, while others said it was a mountain or forest spirit. I wanted to turn around to scold them, but felt that it would not be too good as it might result in a quarrel and we would all be in danger. Therefore I restrained myself and established mindfulness to control my mind and emotions.”

After many years of learning, Luang Phor Mee finally went back to his home province and settled down at Wat Maniwichai in Ayutthaya. 

He later gained great fame as a tudong monk who could traverse the great forests unharmed and help the villagers solve their difficulties. 

Luang Phor Mee eventually passed away at the ripe old age of 89 in 2543.