Authorities intervened to rescue a renowned abbot from a coffin yesterday that he’d climbed into to impose his own death.
Luang Pu Phim, 65, abbot of Weluwan Temple in Chaiyaphum province, was admitted to Khon San Hospital after he had entered the coffin Tuesday night to pray without eating or drinking.
At the request of Chaiyabhum Governor and Office of Provincial Buddhism, 50 policemen were deployed to negotiate with Luang Pu Phim to come out of the coffin on humanitarian grounds.
Luang Pu Phim reportedly instructed his followers not to interrupt or enter his shelter where the coffin was located, according to The Nation. The abbot expected to pray until he died and had ordered a cremation of his body today at 1pm, which is also his birthday, if the attempt was successful.
Luang Pu Phim’s followers started gathering at the temple Tuesday to make merit following his announcement. Some reportedly slept at the temple to wait for his cremation.
According to another monk, Phra Mahabua Piyawanno, this was not the elder monk’s first attempt to take his own life.
Seven years ago, Luang Pu Phim reportedly entered a coffin to “confront death” and survived some days drinking only water. After that, his health condition was said to have miraculously improved, Sanook reported.
Photo: @beaver_ch5
Reader Interactions