Somdet Toh Brahmaramsi

Somdet Phra Buddhacarya
Other names	Somdet To (สมเด็จโต) Khrua To (ขรัวโต)
Personal
Born	To (โต) (1788-04-17)April 17, 1788 Tha Ruea, Ayutthaya, Siam
Died	June 22, 1872(1872-06-22) (aged 84) Bang Khun Phrom, Bangkok, Siam
Religion	Buddhism
School	Maha Nikaya
Other names	Somdet To (สมเด็จโต) Khrua To (ขรัวโต)
Dharma names	Brahmaramsi (พฺรหฺมรํสี)

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Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (born Toh; 17 April 1788 – 22 June 1872), Dharma name Toh Brahmaramsi, was a Siamese Buddhist monk (bhikkhu) during the early Rattanakosin period. Renowned for his deep knowledge of Buddhist scriptures, meditative practice, and the creation of sacred amulets, he remains one of the most venerated monastic figures in Thai religious history.

A leading member of the Mahanikaya order, Somdet To was affectionately referred to by the faithful as "Somdet To," "Luang Pu To," and "Somdet Wat Rakhang." He served as the abbot of Wat Rakhangkhositaram in Bangkok during the reigns of King Mongkut and the early reign of King Chulalongkorn. His distinguished service to the Sangha and his exemplary spiritual leadership earned him elevation to the prestigious ecclesiastical title of Somdet Phra Buddhacarya.

Early life

Somdet To was born on Thursday, the 12th waxing moon of the 5th lunar month in the Year of the Monkey, Chula Sakarat 1150 (17 April 1788), during the reign of Rama I—seven years after the founding of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Local tradition holds that he was born while his mother was on an alms round at Ban Kai Chon (Ban Tha Luang) and that his birth took place on a boat floating in front of Wat Kai Chon.

The identity of Somdet To’s parents has long been a subject of debate, with historical sources offering differing accounts:

• The biographer Phraya Thipkosa recorded that his mother was Nang Ngu, the daughter of Mr. Phon and Nang La, farmers from Kamphaeng Phet.
• The monk, Phra Khru Kalyananukun (Heng Itthajaro) identified his mother as Ket, a native of Tha It in Bang Pho District.

Despite the variation in names, most accounts agree that his mother originated from the northern region (as defined during the Ayutthaya period) before relocating to the Central Plains.

The question of his father is equally uncertain. One tradition claims he was the illegitimate son of King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok (Rama I) before his coronation, while others—including Phra Khru Kalyananukul and Triampawai—assert that his father was King Buddha Loetla Naphalai (Rama II). Although never officially confirmed, the belief that he was the grandson of Rama I and the illegitimate son of Rama II has gained traction among later scholars. Because his mother was not of royal status, any royal connection would have been deliberately kept secret to protect the monarchy’s image. This possible lineage is thought to have aided his swift advancement within the Sangha, including his eventual appointment as abbot of Wat Rakhang.

Ordination

Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrommaramsi) served as abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram during the reign of King Rama IV until his death in the early reign of King Rama V.

Somdet To was ordained as a novice in 2343 B.E. (1800 CE). He was reportedly favored by King Rama I, who showed him great kindness and attention during his early years as a novice.

At the age of ordination in 2350 B.E. (1807 CE), he entered the monkhood at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew). He was granted the title of Nak Luang by royal decree and was ordained with Somdet Phra Ariyawongsayana Somdet Phra Sangkharat (Suk Yanasangwon) as his preceptor. His ordained name was Phra Mahamsi.

Following his ordination, he became known as Phra Maha To and came under the royal patronage of King Rama II (Phutthaloetla Naphalai). He studied the Pāli Canon extensively under various Buddhist masters and eventually became a well-respected scholar and preacher.

Somdet To also served as the preceptor for the young prince Mongkut, who later became King Rama IV. During Rama IV’s reign, Somdet To was awarded the ceremonial title Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi)—"Buddhacharya" meaning "teacher of Buddhism"—and became one of the King’s closest spiritual advisors.

Legacy

Somdet To remains one of Thailand’s most venerated monks, remembered for his wisdom, spiritual power, and enduring influence on Thai Buddhism. Stories of his life and miracles are still widely shared among devotees, reinforcing his status as a symbol of compassion and saintly authority.

He was a skilled orator and poet who used Thai poetry to convey Buddhist teachings. He is widely credited with composing the Jinapanjara, a protective incantation that is still recited across Thailand for blessings and spiritual defense.

Somdet To is especially renowned for creating the Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang amulet, considered his most famous and sacred contribution. These amulets, part of the highly esteemed Benjapakee set—Thailand’s five most sacred amulets—were blessed by Somdet To and other revered monks. They remain highly sought after today, with some valued in the millions of baht.

In popular folklore, Somdet To is also known as the monk who subdued the ghost of Mae Nak Phra Khanong, further elevating his image as a compassionate spiritual protector.

Late Age

Around the year 2410, Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To) came to be the chairman of the construction of his last important religious object, which is the Buddha image Luang Pho To (Phra Sri Ariya Maitreya) at Wat Intharawihan (at that time it was called Wat Bang Khun Phrom Nai). However, the construction was not yet complete. At that time, the Buddha image had only reached the navel level. Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To) passed away in the old pavilion of Wat Bang Khun Phrom on Saturday, the 2nd waning day of the 8th lunar month, Year of the Monkey, at noon, corresponding to June 22, 1872, in the reign of King Chulalongkorn. He was 84 years old and had been a monk for 64 years, and had been the abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram for 20 years.

Morality

Somdet To was renowned for his deep understanding of the Dharma and Vinaya, his modest and compassionate conduct, and his wisdom. He was revered across all levels of society—from royalty to commoners—not only for his virtuous life but also for his reputed spiritual powers and knowledge of protective charms and magic. Because of these qualities, he is often remembered as the “immortal teacher” of Thai Buddhism.

Despite his popularity, Somdet To followed his own path and acted according to his personal convictions rather than seeking fame or favor. He had no desire for rank or honor. Even after mastering the Dharma and Vinaya, he refused to take the Parien Tham examination. During the reign of King Nangklao, the king intended to appoint him as a Royal Monk, but Somdet To declined the offer and remained known as Phra Maha To throughout that period.

In later years, Phra Maha To is said to have undertaken pilgrimages to various regions, establishing large religious monuments as acts of faith. Among these are a reclining Buddha at Wat Sathue in Tambon Tha Luang, Amphoe Tha Ruea, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province; the great Buddha image Luang Pho To at Wat Chaiyo Worawihan in Ang Thong Province; and other grand statues and temples. Each site he created was notably large—reflecting both his name (“To,” meaning “big”) and his far-reaching vision. Constructing such monumental works required significant resources and community effort, symbolizing the deep faith and respect he inspired among Buddhists wherever he traveled.

Ecclesiastical title

Luang Pho To (Phra Sri Ariyametrai) Wat Intharawihan Bangkok The last place of worship that Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi) built

During the reign of King Rama IV, the monarch held Phra Maha To in great esteem. In 1852 (2395 BE), he conferred upon To the ecclesiastical title of Phra Maha for the first time, appointing him as the royal monk under the name "Phra Thammakiti" and assigning him the position of abbot of Wat Rakhang Khositaram. At the time, To was 65 years old. Although he was known for avoiding royal titles and honors throughout his life, on this occasion he ultimately accepted the appointment for reasons that remain unclear.

Two years later, in 1854 (2397 BE), he was elevated to the higher-ranking royal monk title of "Phra Thepkrawi." A decade later, in 1864 (2407 BE), King Rama IV further bestowed upon him the prestigious ecclesiastical rank of Somdet Phra Rajakhana of the Hiranpat level, granting the full royal title of Somdet Phra Phutthachan. The formal inscription of his title read:

Somdet Phra Phutthachan Aneksathanpricha Wisutthasilcharayasombat Nipphatthutkhun Sirisunthonphontacharik Aranyikakanisorn Samananikrommahaparinayok Tripitakakoson Wimolsinkhan Resides at Wat Rakangkositaram Worawihan Royal Monastery, etc.

This was the highest and final ecclesiastical honor he received in his lifetime. Despite the lengthy royal designation, he remained affectionately known to the public as "Somdet To" or "Somdet Wat Rakang", while his contemporaries often called him "Khrua To."

Teachings

The altar table with the relics of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommaramsi) in the ordination hall of Wat Rakhangkositaram

Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommaramsi) is regarded as one of Thailand’s most venerated monks. Beyond his reputation for powerful protective chants, he was celebrated for his humility, frugal lifestyle, and indifference toward fame or wealth. Later accounts consistently portray him as a compassionate teacher who upheld strict moral discipline and earned the deep respect of the public. The earliest known record of his life is a biography written by Maha Amat Phraya Thipphakosa (Son Lohanan) and later compiled by M.L. Phra Maha Sawang Seniwong Na Ayutthaya in 1930 B.E. (1387 CE).

Unlike later interpretations of his teachings, this biography does not present his doctrine in a systematic manner. Instead, it recounts episodes from his life and karma based on testimonies of those who lived during his era. In modern times, however, a variety of sayings attributed to Somdet Phra Buddhacarya have become widely circulated and respected, even though they often lack direct citations to the original sources. Examples include:

"We have never created merit... who will come to help you..."

"My child, before you go to ask for the blessings of any monk, you must first invest your own capital, which is your own merit. When your own merit is not enough, you can borrow the merit of others to help you. Otherwise, you will not be able to survive because of the debts from the merit that you have borrowed until you are out of your hands... When you make merit and do good deeds, you will gain merit. You must use it to pay off all your debts, leaving nothing behind... Then what will you have for the next life?... Keep building up your merit... and the heavens and earth will help you... Remember this... When the time is not yet right, no god will be able to help you... When the time is right... the heavens and earth will not be able to resist you... Do not rush the gods and heavens. When we have never made any merit, who will come to help you?"

Image of Somdej To

The faith in Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahma Ramsi) of Buddhists in Thailand has led to the popularity of creating statues of him as his real image to be enshrined in various temples (in this image, the statue of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahma Ramsi) is on the left side of the image).

Since Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahma Ramsi) was a highly respected monk from his lifetime to the present, devotees have created many statues and replicas of him in various places. These are informally called "The Statue of Somdej." According to evidence from Phra Khru Kalyananukul (Heng Itthajaro), the first replica of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommaramsi) was the statue enshrined at Wat Kechaiyo Worawihan during the reign of King Rama V. It was made with lacquer and gold leaf by Luang Vichit Narumon (Phueng Patimaprakon), measured 40.2 centimeters in width, and was cast at Wat Rakhang Khositaram. However, the exact date of casting is unknown. It is assumed to have been made before 1901.

This is supported by a copy of the royal letter from King Chulalongkorn during his visit to the northern provinces in 2444 B.E. (1901), as follows:

Singhaburi City
October 4, R.S. 120
To Krom Luang Thewawongwaropakarn

"......At 2 o'clock in the morning, left the pavilion in Ang Thong City until 5 o'clock in the morning, arrived at Wat Chaiyo, stopped at the temple... In the back porch of the ordination hall, there was a picture of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya To, I could recognize him, but he was a little younger than when he died..."

— Royal letter
King Chulalongkorn, King Rama V
The visit to the northern provinces in 1901 B.E.

(left) Image of Somdej To in the temple of Wat Rakhang Khositaram (right) Image of Somdej To in the posture of counting rosary beads. This image has a unique identity that is remembered by people today. It was modeled from a real photo of him when he was still alive.

However, the most widely revered statue of him is the bronze statue of Somdej Toh, which was created and enshrined at Wat Rakhang Kositaram. It is believed that it was created not long after the first statue was created and enshrined at Wat Chaiyo Worawihan before 1901. It has a lap width of 48 centimeters and is in a meditative pose. There used to be a procession to celebrate the statue of Somdej on the 3rd waning day of the 12th lunar month of every year. But at present, the event has been discontinued. At present, the statue of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommaramsi) of Wat Rakhang Khositaram is still enshrined in the chapel in front of the temple's ordination hall. Many people respect and pay homage to him today.

In recent times, people have taken the photograph of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommaramsi) when he was alive and counting rosary beads to create a statue and image for worship until it became widespread and has become a unique characteristic of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommaramsi) up until today, both small and large, to live up to the name of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya. with a large image of Somdej Phra Buddhacarya (To Phrommaramsi) such as at the Somdej To Shrine, Somdej Phra Buddhacarya Foundation Sikhio District Nakhon Ratchasima Province, a large Somdej To statue in the sermon posture, Wat Bot Pathum Thani Province, a large Somdej To statue Wat Tan Chet Yot Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, the largest Somdej To statue in the world Wat Sara Long Ruea Kanchanaburi Province, and at Wat Samakkhi Banphot Chon Buri Province, etc.

Legacy

Wat Luang Phor Toh in Sikhio Town features a golden statue representing Somdet To.

Large Buddha statues built by Somdej Toh

• Reclining Buddha, Wat Satue Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province length 25 wa
• Phra Phuttha Maha Muni Si Maharaj, Wat Kudi Thong Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province height 18 meters
• Luang Pho To, Wat Klang Khlong Khoi Ratchaburi Province height 13 meters
• Luang Pho To (Phra Maha Phutthapim) Wat Chaiyo Worawihan Ang Thong Province height 22.65 meters
• Luang Pho To (Phra Phuttha Si Ariyametrai) Wat Intharawihan Bangkok height 32 meters, built in 1867

Sources

1. Legends of Somdet Toh, Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu,

References

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