Location
Wat Laharn Rai locate at Laharn village Moo 8 Tambol Nhonglalok Amphoe BaanKai Rayong province
Founding and Facts
Wat Laharn Rai was founded in 2354 (Buddhist calendar) or A.D. 1811 there are some difficulty during the research because it’s been 200 years and there aren’t any reliable source but thru stories and some evidences to complete the picture about how this temple was built Lua
ngpoh* SungTao, abbot assistant of Wat Laharn Yai at that time, realized that the piece of land across the bank to the north of temple suit for agriculture to feed the temple during the dry season. At the beginning period, they built shacks to provide shade and during Buddhist Lent period**, the monks stayed at Wat Laharn Yai to spend time on dharma study. The local villagers realized that there are monks living and working around the shacks. So the villagers started bring food for the monks on Buddhist Sabbath and became the usual routine. And since the monks population start to rise, everyone agreed to build another temple there so the monks can spend time during Buddhist Lent there. The new temple was named Wat Rai Varee then changed to Wat Laharn Rai with Luangpoh SungTao as the first abbot. As time passed, many monks grew older in both body and knowledge, Luangpoh SungTao assigned them to elect their own abbot and manage Wat Laharn Rai by themselves as for himself, he went back to Wat LaharnYai and remained as the abbot there until he got and invitation by Governor of Rayong which later, requested him to be the abbot at Wat Keng in Rayong province. Before Luangpoh SungTao moved to Wat Keng, he had assigned Luangpoh Dang as the abbot at Wat Laharn Rai then Luangpoh Kerd, Luangpoh Singha and Luangpoh Juam in order. Later Luangpoh Juam decided to leave the monkhood and left Wat Laharn Rai empty for 3 months, luckily Luangpoh Tim Isarikoh came back from his journey to Chonburi province. All the Buddhism in Laharn Rai village invited Luangpoh Tim Isarikoh to rule the temple as the abbot. Luangpoh Tim decided to raise the new wooden chapel which still remain there today since they’re don’t use that chapel that much, they moved it a little further and keep it in the good condition. In 2483 B.C., Luangpoh Tim allowed the schooling to be done at sermon hall which later become popular among the villagers, they decided to build another building which met the Ministry of Education standard requirement and start teaching 17 November 2483 with Mr. Sian Chantanee as the first headmaster. In 2514, Mr.Thong Sukthade and Laharn Rai villagers agreed to build the new chapel and Luangpoh Tim gave 30,000 Thai baht as the initial funds. On 22 February 2515, the temple held a very sacred ceremony called Pitee-Wangsilalerk*** and with Luangpoh Tim holiness, the new chapel was finish in a one and a half year, and in 2517 the temple gained the approval from the King of Thailand with written statement from the palace allowing the temple to continue the next building process which is “Fungloognimit”**** ceremony. This is another essential part before finishing any chapel, some believe that the people that attend the event will get good-karma and delight in return. After Lungpoh Tim passed away, the local monastic party elected Luangpoh Choie Chayadhammo, the current head priest at that time, as the new abbot and possesses the rank of Praku Vijit Dhamma Pirat. Luangpoh Choie decided to build Paowana pirat Chapel and store Luangpoh Tim Isarigo’s statue inside. Luangpoh Choie also built and developed many things in the temple until these days. Abbots of Wat Laharn Rai by order:
1. Luangpoh Dang
3. Luangpoh Kerd
4. Luangpoh Singha
5. Luangpoh Juam
6. Luangpoh Tim Isarigo (rank of Prakru Paowana Pirut)
7. Luangpoh Choie (rank of Prakru Vijit Dhamma Pirut, current abbot)
Note*
Luangpoh* : In Thailand you give respect to people who is more superior both in age and knowledge, in this case the word Luang represent the way you show respect to monks who dedicated to live their life under Great Buddha way, Poh means father or someone that about your father’s age. Buddha Lent** : also known as phansa is a period of 3 lunar months during the rainy season when Buddhist monks retreat to their temples for(Dharma study and avoid any unnecessary travel. Although they may still go out to seek alms during the day, they must return to sleep in their temple and aren't permitted to defrock during phansa. Pitee-Wangsilalerk*** : Foundation stone laying ceremony is the ceremony that ask the angels to join the event to witness and bless the building that they’re about to build. Fungloognimit**** : round stones buried in the ground to mark the sacred limits of a temple, usually use nine stones.
