06/09/2026
✨️“Seven Nights of Black Magic Could Not Harm Him” — The Story of Somdej Toh and the Sorcerer Who Tested His Powers✨️
There is an old story passed down through generations about Somdej Toh Phromrangsi, from the time when he was still wandering on tudong through remote forests.
It is said that during one of his journeys, he passed through the D**g Phaya Fai region near the old Siamese frontier — an area that, in those days, was surrounded by stories of sorcerers, spirits, supernatural forces, and black magic.
Somdej Toh set up his klod, or forest monk’s umbrella-tent, at the edge of a small village. He lived simply, went on alms round each morning, and spent his time quietly practicing meditation.
But in that village lived a man named Nai Phon, who, according to the story, was well known for his knowledge of sorcery and occult practices.
He was said to have a habit of testing his powers on wandering monks who passed through the area.
When Nai Phon saw Somdej Toh staying nearby, he wondered just how powerful this monk might be.
So he decided to test him.
He began sending what were believed to be forms of black magic toward Somdej Toh’s forest shelter.
The first night passed...
Nothing happened.
The second night...
Then the third...
Still, nothing seemed capable of harming the monk.
According to the story, Nai Phon continued testing Somdej Toh for seven nights, sending various forms of sorcery — including a magical buffalo spirit, enchanted buffalo hide, a giant centipede, and spirit entities.
Yet none of them could reach or harm Somdej Toh.
Eventually, Nai Phon went to see him in person.
Unable to contain his curiosity, he asked:
“What kind of powerful magic have you studied that allows you to protect yourself from everything I have sent?”
Somdej Toh’s answer surprised him even more.
The monk explained that he had never studied magic in order to fight against anyone.
Before going to sleep each night, he simply recollected the Triple Gem:
«“Buddham Saranam Gacchami
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
Sangham Saranam Gacchami”»
He would then calm his mind and spread loving-kindness toward all living beings, wishing that none would hold hatred or cause harm to one another.
But Nai Phon was still not convinced.
So he asked Somdej Toh for one final test.
He requested that the monk not chant that night.
Somdej Toh agreed.
Late that night, while resting beneath his klod, Somdej Toh heard a strange sound nearby.
When he lit a candle to see what was happening, the story says that he saw an enormous centipede crawling toward him.
Somdej Toh immediately recollected the Triple Gem and recited the same three verses.
After he had meditated for a short while, the strange creature disappeared.
The following morning, Nai Phon returned.
He admitted that he had been the one who sent the centipede the night before.
This time, he raised his hands respectfully in wai and accepted that even the occult powers he believed to be extremely strong could not overcome a mind firmly established in faith in the Triple Gem.
The Dhamma Hidden Within the Story
Perhaps the most meaningful part of this story is not about whose magic was stronger.
Somdej Toh did not respond to black magic with stronger black magic.
Instead, he relied upon the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, inner stillness, and loving-kindness.
Rather than wishing harm upon the person who was trying to attack him, he extended compassion toward all beings, wishing that no one would live with hatred or hostility toward another.
And perhaps this is the deeper lesson behind the story:
“What defeats darkness does not always have to be a stronger form of magic.
Sometimes, what darkness cannot reach is a mind firmly established in goodness.”
🙏🙏🙏
