Luang Pho Daeng

Luang Pho Daeng
Born	1894
Died	1973 (aged 78–79) Ko Samui, Thailand

Luang Pho Daeng (Thai: หลวงพ่อแดง) was a Thai Buddhist monk who died while meditating in 1973.[1][2]

Biography

Daeng was born in 1894. He was briefly interested in becoming a monk in his 20s, but decided that he would rather be married instead. He raised six children with his only wife.[3] After all of his children had grown, Daeng, then in his 70s, realized his earlier dream and finally decided to become a monk. He was briefly an abbot at a temple in southern Thailand, but moved to Wat Khunaram near his childhood home.

Daeng died while meditating in 1973.[1][2] His mummified body is on display at Wat Khunaram. The mummy is notable for sporting a pair of sunglasses, placed by the caretakers to hide the decomposed eye sockets to make the display less disturbing. A native gecko species use Daeng's body as a hatchery, with eggs being laid beneath his skin.[3]

See also

• Buddhist mummy
• Sokushinbutsu

References

1. "Kunaram Temple - Mummified Monk". ThailandSelection. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011.
2. Nilubol, Pornpitagpan (18 May 2002). "Mummy Men Examine Mystery Of Preserved Thai Monk". ParaDimensions. FarShores. Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008.
3. Meier, Allison C.; Frolov, Dimas; Jackson, Nicholas (15 November 2010). "Mummy of Luang Pho Dang". Atlas Obscura.