*Biography of Luang Pho Chaem Inthochoto (Luang Pho Chaem of Wat Takong), Nakhon Pathom Province*
*Early Life and Before Ordination*
Luang Pho Chaem Inthochoto was born in 1862 (some sources record 1857 or 1863) during the reign of King Rama IV. He was from Takong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Pathom Province. His family were poor farmers, and he was the eldest of four siblings. In his youth, he was tall but considered unattractive, leading his parents to show him little affection. He had to herd buffaloes in the rice fields.
Having a deep love for begging songs, at the age of 14-15 he ran away from home and wandered with a group of beggars for 4-5 years. At the age of 20, he returned home with some money to give to his mother as a fund for his ordination. However, while waiting for his ordination... He became weary and addicted to gambling for a full year before finally deciding to quit. Furthermore, he possessed a steadfast and pure mind, having viewed the female body as comparable to male flesh, which led him to abandon his infatuation with women and enter the monastic life.
*Ordination and Study of Buddhist Magic*
At the age of 20, in 1882, he was ordained at Wat Phaneng Taek, Nakhon Pathom Province, with *Phra Khru Utarakarnbodi (Luang Pho Tha Sonuttaro) as his preceptor.* Luang Pho Tha was a highly respected master of magic in that era. Luang Pho Chaem received instruction in ancient Vipassana meditation, incantations of protection, and Kasina meditation. Legend says that Luang Pho Tha had Luang Pho Chaem practice meditation with real corpses to understand the impermanence of life and cultivate loving-kindness.
In addition to Luang Pho Tha... He also studied Thai-Khmer script and advanced Buddhist magic with Phra Ajarn Joi at Wat Don Chedi, and often traveled to discuss Dharma and exchange magical knowledge with Luang Pu Boon at Wat Klang Bang Kaew.
*Going on a pilgrimage and studying occult sciences*
After being ordained for about 5 years, he requested permission from his preceptor to embark on a solitary pilgrimage following in the footsteps of the Buddha. He journeyed to worship at Phra Pathom Chedi, Phra Taen Dong Rang, Phra Phutthabat Saraburi, and even traveled deep across the border to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar. Along the arduous journey, he studied occult sciences from lay teachers of various ethnicities, including Burmese, Karen, and Mon, and also learned advanced Dharma from Burmese hermits.
*Living like a forest monk and facing investigation and accusations*
Upon returning to reside at Wat Takong, his birthplace, he had conflicts with the new abbot. Because Luang Pho Chaem was accustomed to going on pilgrimage and maintaining the practices of a forest monk, he built a thatched-roof hut and lived alone next to the temple, refusing to participate in monastic activities with the other monks. He cooked his own meals, dug a pond, and worked in the rice fields and raised cattle himself. Furthermore, he rarely bathed. Amazingly, those who approached him for worship never smelled any foul odor.
This unusual behavior, coupled with his practices of healing illnesses with holy water, giving lottery numbers, performing love spells, and displaying supernatural powers, led to nine charges against him. The provincial abbot had to personally investigate. However, Luang Pho Chaem countered the accusations with the principle of **"the heart of a Bodhisattva"**, arguing that if he saw someone drowning, he would rather violate a precept (a Sanghadisesa offense for touching a woman) than maintain his purity of conduct while watching a fellow human being die. This explanation, based on the principle of great compassion over strict rules, convinced the investigating committee to accept his pure intentions and prevent him from being found guilty.
*Miracles and Occult Arts*
Luang Pho Chaem was renowned for his miracles, especially his *"ability to shorten distances."* Records state that he once walked from Wat Takong to Wat Klang Bang Kaeo (over 30 kilometers) faster than other monks who traveled by train. Similarly, when people came to invite him on horseback, he would send the riders ahead, but he would be waiting at the house before the horses arrived. Furthermore, he possessed the "ability to conceal himself from enemies" (the art of camouflage) and "clairvoyance," allowing him to foresee the thoughts of those visiting him.
*Top Amulets of the Era*
His amulets gained immense fame, particularly during the Great East Asian War and the Indochina War.
*The 16-King Coin (Crossed Guns Coin):* The first edition was created around 1941-1942. It is a stamped coin with a 16-serrated edge, depicting Luang Pho seated on crossed guns, a magical symbol known as... "The art of 'subduing the name' or 'subduing weapons' is renowned for its invincibility and impenetrable protection.
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