Somdej To was born in 17 April B.E.2331 in the 7th years of Groong Rattanagosin era of King Rama 1st. Even though Somdej To may act rather unfashionably but never capriciously he had been known as a highly eccentric monk. The legend has is that King Rama the fourth favord him a great deal. it was also known that King was a true expert on astrology and astronomy to the extent that he could even predict the solar eclipse in advance. The king together with his son along with the diplematic corps proceeded to WhaKoh in Prachaub and withnessed the solar eclipse - an event which surprised everyone-concerning his ability in mathematical and astrological prediction.

Before he ascended to the throne he was voted unanimously by the nobility to leave monkhood and became the King of Siam. Being a keen astrologer, he believed that the birthchart of Prince Issaresrangsarn, his younger brother, was excellent so he appointed him anohter king called "Phra Pinklauo". It was also believed that the birthchart of Somdej To was also examined by the king as Somdej To did but the king were displeased with such plagiarism.

According to his birthchart, it was known that Somdej To was a very intelligent and highly capable monk. At the time that he was born, the "Sri" or special merit was upon his ascendant. This means he would be well-known and well respected. His Mars would help him in terms of hard work. At the same time his Mars proved that he was simply an orphan so he turned to Buddhism. His Jupiter happen to be one of the highest point which certainly testifies to the fact that his intelligence was high whereas his Venus shows that he did not crave for any wealth, Saturn as well as Rahu Proved that he did not long for any possession and would live very long. His Majesty King Rama the fourth was well known for his prediction and treatise on astrology. He found that Somdej To's birthchart was amazingly good. In fact it would be far more scientific to suggest that the moment of conception would be the time when the influence of the planets would be more significant. King Rama the fourth also put forward his own interpretation for the planets without conflicting with any traditional astrological beliefs. Those who are interested in astrology may also try to interpret their signs according to King Rama the fourth's interpretation, they will be surprised that it is accurate and can explain the psychic nature that sees through to their real inner personality.

Judging from the signs as well as personality and character it is believed that Somdej To had attained a high degree of emlightenment and could perform prescience. Once he was asked in front of a stupa what would be stuck up inside the niche, he answered "Two frogs" and it turned out that the two frogs could not find the way out. The niche was then broken apart to let them go. His life was full of meritorius activities and he had been helping the poor all along. This is why the Thai people do find him a great and respectable monk. Somdej Puttajart (To) was known to be a sagacious and intelligent monk and yet his conduct was rather eccentric. No one would act the way he did. At one time his disciples quarreled with each other and were about to use violence, if he should stop it, it would be natural but he did otherwise. He simply went to see the disciples bringing along candles and joss-sticks and prostrated himself, gave the disciples a deep bow and said "You all are very great. Allow me to be your simple disciple"

The disciples, upon seeing this, stopped the quarrel right away. Somdej Puttajarn (To) made another bow and said:-"I did not manage well and it's not your fault. Please put the blame on me." Somdej Puttajarn believed in the Buddhist way of conquering anger with non-anger. Once his disciples were playing Takraw, a ball of woven ratten strips. upon learning this incident he went up there with clothing folded upon his head and said "May I join this game." The players immediately stopped playing and there was sense of guilt among them. He often exchanged ideas and opinions with foreign missionaries. Once he was asked where the poles of earth are. He took the missionary to the ground and pointed at it. saying "It is right here". The missionary then asked him how he knew about it. He said the earth is round and if we draw the line across the earth it would simply be here with is another pole.

There had been a saying concerning him that he resided in AYUTTHAYA,came to stay at CHAIYO, grew up in WATINDRA dad keeps Buddist precepts at WATRAKHANG, denoting several places where he had lived. He built up Luand Poh To, a hugh image, at Wat INDRA but he passed away before the construction was completed. As for Buddha images that he created, it is believed that he should have known a number of royally sponsored artists or "Chang Sipmoo" who also helped him to design these images. His incantation used as magic spell or charm also came from Sri Lanka or Ceylon. People who chant his incantation are free from any discases and should also be happy with all the praises and blessings. Somdej Puttajarn (To) also translated and adapted the verses from Pali into Thai.

The stories and legends concerning Somdej Puttajarn seem innumerable, especially known to be the king of all little Buddha images. Chao Phrya Srisuriyawongse (Cuang Bunnag) who had been Regent for some 5 years before King Rama the fifth became of age so his duty and work expired. The Regent was then raised to the position of Somdej Chao Phrya Barommahasrisuriya-wongse. However, the legend has it that he might betray the King which had been untrue. Somdej Puttajarn To walked with torch lit up during day time and went over to see the Regent asking directly "is it true of not true? If it should be true, i would ask you to stop it right away." The regent, ofcourse, agreed to end such rumor.

Somdej Puttajarn had been very familiar with the Regent who asked him to give sermons from time to time. His sermons were full of examples and stories which today still remain easy for understanding. He was very sagacious and highly intelligent in the sense that he was truly a genius. When King Mongkut ascended to the throne at the age of 69, Somdej Puttajarn (To) was then 81 years old and became Puttajarn, an ecclesiastical title, for 3 years or so. He was then in the autumn of his life and asked a monk called Phra Puttabatpilan (Tad) to be the abbot of the monastery. M.L.Phra Maha Swang and Prom Suddipong drew some 21 scenes of pictures covering Somdej Puttajarn (To)'s lifetime based upon the explanation given by 88 years-old Chao Khun Phra Thammatavorn (Chang) as follows:- Once Prince Duang, King of Cambodia, graciously invited him to give a sermon. On the way to his residence, there were many tigers around. So he asked the tigers to take full rest, not harassing the people anymore. He journeyed to the prince's palace on a palanquin instead of being driven by cart led by buffalos or cows since he did not prefer that type of journey.

The sermon was then given to the prince and Cambodian people concerning unity. King Mongkut was pleased with this sermon. Somdej Puttajarn (To) decided to buld a monastery called Kettuchaiyo. The construction was assisted by King Mongkut and Prince Pinklauo as well as foreign residents such as Indians,Farang,Cambodian,Lao,Mons and Chinese. This monastery become famous and was visited by a large number of people all the time. It had been widely known that Somdej puttajarn (To), former about of WatRakhang, and King Rama the fourth who had been a monk also for a long time, had known each other well. When the king ascended to the throne, he would allow the Somdej to do what he liked and always found him a sagacious monk. Once King Rama the fourth held a boat decoration contest where different state agencies sent beautiful boats for the occasion Somdej Puttajarn also came in an ordinary boat, with a monkey staying there.

The King certainly found that the Somdej would never enter the contest since he was a monk who desired no power nor any other worldly things. Thai monks could merely have four pieces of personal belongings and could not amass wealth. Therefore he could never enter a decoration contest. He put the money on the boat to prove that such contest was nonsensical. The King could defrock him since it was in the days of absolute monarchy. In the past he already defrocked Phra Pavana of Thonburi. The King and the Somdej had a very good relationship for over a long time. Once the king graciously gave him a beautiful boat and asked that he should use it to go around giving sermons. But the boat was a big one so the people started calling him Somdej To or Somdej Big.

A couple of years later the Somdej passed away amidst sorrow and despondence among the people . What is most interesting is the legends about him that are still talked about even today.

In Pethburi province in the south eastern part of Thailand; there was one famous Buddhist teacher with efficacious talisman, known as Luang Phor Daeng. Daeng was originally born in a poor peasant family. Throughtout his whole life from a commoner, to becoming a monk, a Buddhist master and to eternity, the people called him as Daeng. Daeng mean red, his intention of not changing his name throughtout his life was to commemorate the name given by his parents. Due to poverty his parents counld not send him to school. At the age of 20, Daeng had to be a productive member of hid fsmily. By then his parents need not have to take care of him. As such they were able to make a living with the ease of heart. From then on, his parents took the opportunity to enroll him in Buddhist school(In those days Buddhist schools in Thailand rural areas also teach educational studies)

A years later when Daeng was 21 and because of the influences of Buddhist culture, he was then ordained as a monk. In 1899 a new life begins for Daeng. In the 38 years of monastic life of self-modification and cultivation, Daeng like other Buddhist teachers lived a calm and quiet life in the sounding bells of dawn and evenings and the recitations of Buddhist literatures. It was then 1936 that Luang Phor Daeng became popular especially when he used his acquired Buddhist teachers to save all beings. In the Pethburi province a plaque had suddenly hit the villagers. Many domestic animals contracted epidemic diseases. Cows could work and domestic animals could not used as food. Those seriously ill were not saved in time. The villagers panic and were helpless. Seeing the plight of the villagers, Luang Phor Daeng came to the rescue, he then used his acquired skills to pray and seek help from heaven.

Daeng made out many talismans for the farmers, instructing them to place the charm into the cages. True enough each of these talismans have magnificent powers. As a result, Luang Phor Daeng became popular, because the effect of the talismans managed to overcome all disasters. News spread and farmers from neighborhoods also came to ask for the merciful and special talismans. From that day on, Wat Kao BanDai-It the temple in which Luang Phor Daeng stayed flourished. Worshippers and devotees came pouring in with offerings. Such were his deeds and benefits to the ordinary people that earned him the reputation which traveled far and wide.

In 1959, Luang Phor Daeng was conferred the title of Buddhist fan by the present King of Thailand.(Buddhist fan represent the rank and grade of contributions canferred to Thailand Buddhist teachers) He was also conferred the Buddhist title of PhraKu YanWeiLa.(PhraKu means a Buddhist teacher who has sufficient degree of knowledge in Buddhism, capable of preaching to others the Buddhist scriptures.) Since then, the Buddhist title of Luang Phor Daeng was further respected and known by the people.

There are many legends regarding Luang Phor Daeng and they are truly immortal and happy stories. Since 1959, after Luang Phor Daeng was given the title and Buddhist fan by the King; Luang Phor Daeng had already distributed pendants to the general public. A total of 19 types of pendants that were made by Luang Phor Daeng.