Supreme Patriarch Suk Kai Thuean’s Method of Visualizing the Elements

An analysis of a meditation manual titled "Baep Doen That" (Model for walking the elements) attributed to Supreme Patriarch Suk Kai Thuean (1733–1822) of Bangkok, Thailand, describes a practice for advanced meditators. The manual consists of visualizations of the six elements (earth, water, wind, fire, space, and consciousness) plus mind (citta), represented by sacred Pāli syllables in eight verses. Each verse is taken from the Iti Pi So Eight Directions protective chant and is aimed at developing one of the eight supernormal knowledges and powers (vijjās). The analysis incorporates interviews with the current lineage holder of Suk's meditation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The paper aims to shed further light on the boran kammaṭṭhāna, or “old meditation,” tradition by providing a summary and an analysis of a meditation manual titled “Baep Doen That” (literally, “Model for walking the elements”) attributed to the Supreme Patriarch Suk Kai Thuean (1733–1822), the fourth Saṅgharāja of Bangkok, Thailand. It is a manual for advanced practitioners that consists of visualizations of the six elements (earth, water, wind, fire, space, and consciousness), plus citta (mind), represented by sacred Pāli syllables in eight verses, in order to achieve the eight supernormal knowledges and powers (vijjās). The eight verses, each verse aimed at developing one of the powers, are taken from the well-known Iti Pi So Eight Directions protective chant (paritta), a variation of the canonical Iti Pi So Bhagavā (Thus is the Blessed One) formula. The analysis of the manual incorporates the author’s interviews with Phra Khru Sitthisangwon (Wira Ṭhanāvīro) of Wat Ratchasittharam, the current lineage holder of Supreme Patriarch Suk’s meditation.