Meet the Petrified Monk

Posted by Full mooner on June 10th, 2011 filed in sightseeing

The Wat Khunaram in Koh Samui, is where you will find the body of the most famous mummified Buddhist monk on display. There is a small temple and a separate building which houses the mummified monk and it is worth a visit as there is n o entrance fee.

The mummified monk at the Wat Khunaram in Koh Samui is sitting upright in a glass casket. It is a fascinating sight to watch. You buy flowers and joy sticks out the room that holds the mummified monk and bring them in to offer Buddha monk for blessing.

The history behind this un-decomposed remains of a Buddhist monk is that, his name is Phra Khru Sammathakittikhun (Dang Piyasilo), the revered ex-abbot of Wat Khunaram in Koh Samui. He became a monk at the age of 50 and then became famous for his mediation practice for 20 years and had many disciples among Buddhist monks and the community. He is also most famous for his ability to predict his own death which happened in 1973.

After his death, the monk’s his body remained entirely in tact, so his relatives made the decision to put his body in the upright position in the glass casket that was requested by the monk in his written instructions. This was done in order to preserve it as a symbol to convince future generations to follow Buddhist teachings and be saved from suffering.

So, if you are a curious about Buddhism, this is the no to miss if you happen to be on the island of Koh Samui and it is free of charge!