Luang Pu Doo

For Luang Pu Doo, there was no such thing as differential treatment. Luang Pu always welcomed every sincere visitor warmly whether he was rich or poor. 

Those living in poverty find it difficult to muster the confidence to go to the temple to make merit. This is because many temples are commercialised and focused on soliciting donations or raising funds. But Luang Pu never made anyone feel embarrassed about coming to see him. 

Luang Pu would make his visitor feel comfortable by reassuring him that great merit does not depend on the amount of money that you donate but whether you maintain the precepts and pawana often. 

In addition, he would also let his devotees eat the leftovers of the food offered to him. Luang Pu told his disciples that whether they are rich or poor, they are all to sit on the floor and eat the food together without any special treatment. 

Luang Pu was a considerably famous monk by the time he reached his 80s. So it wasn't uncommon to see both villagers waiting in line to pay respects to Luang Pu together with Bangkokians who have brought expensive and exquisite items to dana to Luang Pu.

Luang Pu would teach the villagers to also anumodana sadhu and rejoice in the merits when these alms were being offered so that they would also receive a lot of merit together with the Bangkokians as the expensive items were being dana-ed. 

Luang Pu is also not a monk who would travel around Thailand to raise funds or engage in particular ceremonies. He taught that one baht donated with faith may earn more merit that ten thousand or hundred thousand baht donated just to show off or not done with respect. 

Once a villager mentioned that he was impressed with Luang Pu's kindness towards him. He was poor when he was young but he would still bring some food in a tiffin carrier to offer to Luang Pu in accordance with his means. Luang Pu would often give him some supplies in return such as free soap and toothpaste etc. 

Luang Pu knew that this villager might feel embarassed if people looked at him carrying temple supplies home, so he quietly put them in the tiffin carrier and returned it to him. Now this villager is well-off and does not need to worry about food already but he will never forget Luang Pu's kindness towards him.

23 April 2023