Somdej Toh

Somdej Phra Buddhacarya
(Toh Brahmaramsi)
Religion Buddhism
School Theravada, Maha Nikaya
Other names Somdej Toh (สมเด็จโต)
Krua Toh (ขรัวโต)
Dharma names Brahmaramsi (พรหมรํสี)
Personal
Nationality Thai
Born April 17, 1788
Amphoe Tha Ruea, Ayutthaya, Thailand
Died June 22, 1872 (aged 84)
Bang Khum Phrom, Bangkok, Thailand

Somdej Toh (1788-1872; B.E. 2331-2415), known formally as Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi, was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand's Rattanakosin Period.

Biography

Somdej Toh was born in Kamphaeng Phet Province, possibly the son of King Rama I. He studied the Buddhist scriptures of the Pāli Canon with several Buddhist masters. After becoming a well-known monk, he became the preceptor for Prince Mongkut, later King Rama IV, when Mongkut became a monk. During Rama IV's reign Somdej Toh was given the ceremonial name Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi.

He was noted for the skill of his preaching and his use of Thai poetry to reflect the beauty of Buddhism, and for making amulets call Somdej. The amulets were blessed by himself and other respected monks in Thailand. He also appears in many versions of the story of the ghost Mae Nak Phra Khanong.