The Role of Luang Pu Thep Lok Udon in Preserving Buddhism according to the Beliefs of the Practitioners

Abstract

This article aims to study Luang Pu Thep Lok Udon, the eighth monastic missionary of Suvarnabhumi, one of the legendary monks, and his role in promoting Buddhism. A systematic analysis of various documents provides a comprehensive and appropriate perspective. The findings reveal that Luang Pu Thep Lok Udon is a legendary monk who has appeared in the beliefs of ascetic monks and Dhamma practitioners since approximately 1947–1957. It is believed that he attained the Eight Supernatural Powers, was able to enter and exit meditation at will and utilized the four bases of success (Iddhipada) to maintain his physical body to support the religion for 5,000 years. He also served as a mentor to monks of the meditation tradition. The body of knowledge from this article is assumed that he was Phra Uttara Thera, one of the monk missionaries who spread Buddhism in Suvarnabhumi after the Third Buddhist Council and later became the leader of the Legendary monks. His important roles included educating the laity, preaching the Dhamma, advising on meditation, assisting monks with good practice and providing opportunities for disciples to prove the Dhamma through direct experience.