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fixing infobox and removing deprecated parameters; Cleaning up syntax using indent.js

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{{Short description|Thai Buddhist monk (1827–1908)}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| name = Chaem
| image = [[File:Nithan Borankhadi (04).jpg|220px|Phra Khru Wisutthiwongsachan Yanmuni (Chaem)]]
| caption = Luang Pho Chaem
| dharma_name = Wisutthiwongsachan Yanmuni (วิสุทธิวงศาจาริย์ญาณมุนี)
| birth_date = {{circa|1827}} (BE 2370)
| ordination = 1847 (BE 2390)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1908|4|18|1827|df=y}} (BE 2451)
| temple = [[Wat Chaiyathararam|Wat Chalong]]
| location = [[Phuket]]
| sect = [[Theravāda]], Mahānikāya
| religion = Buddhism
}}

'''Phra Khru Wisutthiwongsachan Yanmuni''' ({{lang|th|พระครูวิสุทธิวงศาจาริย์ญาณมุนี}}; 1827 – April 18, 1908), commonly known as '''Luang Pho Chaem''', was the former abbot of [[Wat Chalong]] and a highly revered Buddhist monk of [[Phuket Province]]. He is especially remembered for his role during the 1876 Chinese miners’ rebellion.

== Biography ==
Phra Khru Wisutthiwongsachan Yanmuni (Chaem) was born in the Year of the Pig, 1827 (BE 2370), during the reign of King [[Rama III]], at Ban Bo Saen, Thap Put District, [[Phang Nga Province]]. The names of his parents are not recorded. When he was older, his parents sent him to Wat Chalong, Thung Kha Subdistrict (now [[Mueang Phuket District]]), [[Phuket Province]], where he became a disciple of Phra Thao, then abbot of Wat Chalong. Chaem was first ordained as a [[samanera|novice]] and later as a [[bhikkhu|monk]], devoting his study to [[Vipassanā]] meditation at Wat Chalong until he attained deep mastery.

Known for his strict observance of the [[Vinaya]], Luang Pho Chaem quickly gained respect and devotion from the local people. In 1850 (BE 2393), when Phra Thao died, Luang Pho Chaem was appointed abbot of Wat Chalong.

=== The Chinese miners’ rebellion ===
In 1876 (BE 2419), unrest broke out in Phuket due to the [[Coolie|Chinese tin miners’]] affiliation with the [[Triad (organized crime)|triads]]. Local villagers urged Luang Pho Chaem to flee, but he refused to abandon his monastery. His disciples gathered together to protect him and asked him to bless them with headbands (''pha prachiat'') as a source of courage. He agreed, and the blessed headbands became symbols of morale and unity. The villagers, inspired, defeated the triad rebels.

By 1877 (BE 2420), government forces had suppressed the rebellion, and the Phuket authorities credited Luang Pho Chaem with contributing to the victory. At that time, the position of Chief Ecclesiastical Officer (''Sangkhapamok'') of Phuket was vacant, and King Rama V appointed Luang Pho Chaem to the post, conferring upon him the ecclesiastical title '''Phra Khru Wisutthiwongsachan Yanmuni'''. The King also renamed Wat Chalong as '''Wat Chaiyathararam'''. From then on, people of Phuket believed that Luang Pho Chaem’s protective blessings and spiritual power were a decisive factor in the villagers’ victory, and he came to be regarded as one of the most important ''kru'' (sacred masters) of the region.

== Passing ==
Phra Khru Wisutthiwongsachan Yanmuni (Chaem) died of intestinal disease on April 18, 1908 (BE 2451).<ref>''Royal Gazette'', [http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2451/007/167_1.PDF Death announcement], Vol. 25, Part 7, 17 May 1908, p. 167.</ref>

On April 5, 1909 (BE 2452), the royal court sent a cremation casket, 100 ''fueang'' in funds, and two rolls of white cloth for his royal-sponsored cremation ceremony in Phuket.<ref>''Royal Gazette'', [http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2452/D/78.PDF Royal sponsorship of cremation], Vol. 26, Part 0Ng, 11 April 1909, p. 79.</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wikisource-inline|นิทานโบราณคดี/นิทานที่ ๒|''The Abbot of Wat Chalong'' by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wisutthiwongsachan Yanmuni}}
[[Category:1827 births]]
[[Category:1908 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Phang Nga province|Luang Pho Chaem]]
[[Category:People from Phuket province|Luang Pho Chaem]]
[[Category:Geji Ajahns of Southern Thailand]]

Luang Pho Chaem - Revision history

imported>Zackmann08: fixing infobox and removing deprecated parameters; Cleaning up syntax using indent.js