Master Nun Pook Muiprasert
Master Nun Pook Muiprasert (approx. 1885 - 1984)
Biography:
Reverend Maechee Pook Muiprasert was
one of the most senior and important students of Luang Por Wat Paknam
(Phramongkolthepmuni). She was born at
Bangsagair Sub-District, Thonburi (presently Bangkok) on Monday, June
1886. Pook is the first child of Mr.
Somboon and Mrs. Thongdee Muiprasert who were the well-to-do orchadists, and
she had helped her parents working at the family’s orchards since her
childhood.
Meditation Attainment:
Pook was a very committed
person. She dedicated to whatever she
did. When she was a layperson, she had
practiced meditation with Luang Por Wat Paknam whom she respected and be
faithful upon so much as her meditation master.
After Pook attained the Dhamma sphere, one day, she wished to make merit
but she did not have enough money. So,
she took the fruits from her relative’s orchards for sale without permission. Then, she donated the money from selling
fruits. This seemed like an
insignificant recklessness, but this caused her Dhamma sphere to
disappear. Thus, Pook was so much
regretful.
In the evening of that very day, she
made a vow before practicing meditation that “If I won’t see the Dhamma sphere
again, I won’t rouse from my seat.”
As Pook continued practicing
meditation longer, she became achy all over her body. She was also bit by many mosquitoes. However, she thought of a hen which she saw
in the kitchen. The hen was brooding her
eggs without going anywhere until the chicks hatched. Pook promised to herself that she would not
give up her perseverance until it was in the middle of the night. Finally, she could attain the crystal clear
Dhamma sphere again. Since then, she
observed precepts and practiced meditation strictly without being reckless again.
Ordination:
In 1921, when Pook was 35 year old, her
parents passed away. Thereafter, she
abandoned her home and properties to be ordained as a Buddhist nun at Wat
Paknam, Bhasicharoen, with so much faith upon the Great Master
Phramongkolthepmuni, in order to continue practicing Dhammakaya meditation
wholeheartedly. Reverend Pook was very
strict in observing precepts and respected in the teaching of Luang Por Wat
Paknam. She was both committed and diligent
in practicing meditation. As a
consequence, Luang Por Wat Paknam allowed her to practice advanced Dhammakaya
Meditation at the meditation workshop. Reverend
Maechee Pook was also assigned by Luang Por to be one of the supervisors of
advanced Dhammakaya meditation sessions.
She had to supervise other Buddhist nuns who practiced Vijja Dhammakaya
at the meditation workshop. In addition,
she was also an instructor of Dhammakaya meditation.
Reverend Maechee Pook’s practice can
be taken as a role model for many people.
One day, Reverend Pook got sick in the evening and she became very
hungry. Someone went to see Luang Por
and asked if Reverend Machee Pook would be able to have hot rice soup. Luang Por told that person to ask Reverend
Pook if she was observing her vow [to observe the precept which is not to have
no meal after noon]. When Reverend Pook
heard this, she recollected of her vow.
So, she decided not to have any food even though she might die of the
sickness. After her decision, she was
calmly joyful and her hunger disappeared.
After Luang Por passed away, Reverend Pook still continued to practice advanced
meditation at the meditation workshop.
Until there was the construction of the new meditation workshop
building, Reverend Pook started to practice and teach meditation at her
residence when she was around 80 year old.
She was admired to be the honorary senior of Wat Paknam Temple who had
been very strict and earnest to her duties throughout the period of 60 years of
her ordination.
As a Role Model:
Normally, Reverend Pook was calm,
cheerful, generous, and gentle. She had
no anger and revenge, but she was so compassionate and helpful towards her
students and those who seek for help. As a result, Reverend Pook had helped so many
people. When someone did something
wrong, she would caution such person that it would be sinful. She reminded them not to criticize or
overpraise anyone.
Reverend Pook aimed to practice meditation dedicatively in order to
reach the utmost purity of her mind which was fully righteous, wholesome, and wisdomful. She positioned herself well to be the senior
who taught only the true and right things.
With her consistent virtues, those who were close to Reverend Pook could
feel the warmth and calmness. She was a
perfect role model that everyone wished to follow willingly or be obedient
upon.
The Most Venerable Phrarajbrahmathera (Veera Kanuttamo) said about
Reverend Pook that “Khun Pook Muiprasert had practiced Vijja Dhammakaya for 60
years since she was 35 year old. She
practiced Vijja throughout without abandoning until the end of her life. Before she was to pass away, she was fully
aware. When it was close to dawn, she
placed her hands in the prayer position on her chest and passed away
peacefully.”
Reverend Maechee Pook Muiprasert
passed away on 25 June 1984 due to aging at the age of 99 year old. She had spent the monastic life for 63
years. She had abandoned this world
leaving her goodness behind for others to be proud of and follow her as an
exceptional role model of those who attained Dhammakaya and and those who were
students of Luang Por Wat Paknam.
Compiled by Khet Tonrassamee and Peerada Sirijintakarn
Translated by Pittaya Wong on 14 Oct 2015
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Rakangdham, Wat Luang Por Sodh Dhammakayaram Temple
