Full name: Venerable Chao Khun Phra Mongkol-Thepmuni
The Late Abbot of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Bangkok
(Written by: Phra BHAVANA-KOSOL THERA ( Veera Genuttamo )
The Master of the Vijja Dhammakaya Approach, the late Venerable Chao Khun Phra Mongkol-Thepmuni, is fondly known and revered throughout the land as Luang Phor Wat Paknam, or simply as "Luang Phor".
Luang Phor was born October 10, 1884 to a humble rice-merchant family of Supanburi Province, as Sodh, the second child of Nai Ngern and Nang Sudjai Meekaewnoi. As was typical in those days, young Sodh received his education from the temples. At fourteen, when his father died, he became the chief bread winner for the family. Successful as he was in rice trading, at age nineteen the compassionate young man resolved to become a monk (bhikkhu ) for life.
Having made arrangements to ensure his mother's welfare, the young man entered the monkhood three years later in July,1906. At the age of twenty-two, he was ordained as Candasaro Bhikkhu at Wat Songpeenong, near his home. Phra Ajahn Dee of Wat Pratusarn, Supanburi, was his main Preceptor.
The day after his ordination, Candasaro Bhikkhu began meditation practice and study of Pali scriptures. In search of deeper and wider knowledge, he moved from Wat Songpeenong to Wat Bodhi (Wat Phra Chetupon Vimonmangkalaram) in Bangkok. There, he frequented the centers of meditation practice and Pali study.
Soon, Luang Phor was recognized by his teachers, Phra Khru Nanavirati (Po) of Wat Bodhi and Phra Ajahn Singha of Wat Lakorn Tham, as an accomplished meditation instructor.
During those early dry seasons, Luang Phor adopted thudonga vatra, the custom of wandering in solitude through the forest wilderness, staying in caves and practising the Dhamma with piety.
After ten years, Luang Phor set aside his informal study of Pali Scriptures, having reached sufficiency to read the Maha Satipatthana Sutta. Thereafter he devoted himself totally to meditation practice......
