Nakhon Ratchasima: Followers flocked to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital to pay their respects to revered abbot Luang Phor Khoon, who died on Saturday at the age of 92.
Luang Phor Khoon passed away at 11.45am, a hospital spokesman said.
The revered abbot was highly respected among politicians and influential figures who would visit him to receive a gentle tap on the head for good luck.
The abbot of Wat Ban Rai in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Dan Khun Thot district developed internal bleeding in the chest yesterday morning. He was also suffering from respiratory failure.
Som-ard Tangcharoen, the hospital’s director, said yesterday morning the senior monk’s condition deteriorated after he was rushed to the hospital’s intensive care unit on Friday morning when he suffered a heart attack. He was suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding and one of his kidneys had also stopped functioning.
A team of physicians had planned to perform dialysis on him Sunday.
Phanom Sornsilp, director of the National Office of Buddhism (NOB), said the Office of the Sangha Supreme Council, the clergy’s governing body, has informed the Royal Household Bureau of the abbot’s death.
On Saturday afternoon, His Majesty the King donated an urn with chat benja, or a five-tiered umbrella, for the late Phra Thep Witthayakhom, the official clerical title of Luang Phor Khoon.
By tradition, a senior monk with a high clerical title will be granted a royal urn, said Mr Phanom, adding royally sponsored blessed water will be provided at the hospital today.
The NOB has ordered its branch office in Nakhon Ratchasima to facilitate the holding of the funeral rites in compliance with the late abbot’s will, Mr Phanom said.
Luang Phor Khoon’s body was moved to Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen yesterday evening. Funeral rites will be held at the hospital until next Saturday.
Luang Phor Khoon was born in Korat and entered the monkhood when he was 21.
In his will, which he made in mid-2000, the abbot asked that his body be donated to Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine within 24 hours. His body will be used for medical study for three years.
After his body is returned, he wants a simple funeral and he prohibits his disciples from seeking a royal cremation. His remains are to be placed in the Mekong River.