The history of Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (Toh Brahmaramsi)

Somdej Toh, known formally as Somdet Phra Buddhacarya, was born on Thursday April 17, 1783 AD. Somdej Toh was one of the most famous Buddhist monk during Thailand's Rattanakosin Period and continues to be the most widely known monk in Thailand. He is widely revered in Thailand as a monk who is said that he possessed magical powers and his amulets are widely sought after. His images and statues are some of the most widespread religious icons in Bangkok.

At the age of 13 he was ordained as a Buddhist novice at Wat Yai, Pichit Province and

then ordained as a monk when he was 21. He studied the Buddhist scriptures of the Pali

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 Somdet Toh was given the ceremonial name Somdet Phra Buddhacarya

(Toh Brahmaramsi) by the King and used to be one of his trusted advisers, having left a lot of

teaching stories around him and the King. 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.

Somdet Toh was probably the most famous and widely loved monk in nineteenth century Thailand. A skilled meditator closely associated with the royal family, he was famous for many reasons, but his wide popularity rests on two things: Despite his rank, he was easily approachable to people on all levels of society; and he made amulets that because of his meditative prowess  were reputed to be very powerful. He was also famous for his wisdom and wit.

Somdet Toh died of an illness which is still unknown at 12 a.m on Saturday 22 June, 1872 AD at the age of 85 when being in charge of Wat Rakhang Khositaram’s Abbot for 20 years. Since his death, in 1872, a cult has grown up around his memory, with many mediums throughout Thailand claiming to channel his spirit.