Introduction
Most Venerable Luang Por Boon Chu is one of the most senior and respected elders in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. As the Abbot of Wat Pah Bodhiyan, the 8th branch monastery of Wat Nong Pah Pong, he is regarded as a "Root Teacher" who embodies the raw, disciplined, and heart-centered practice of the original Forest Tradition. Having spent sixteen years in direct training under Ajahn Chah, he is a living repository of the lineage's early heritage and monastic standards.
Early Life and Training under Ajahn Chah
Born in Ubon Ratchathani in 1942, Luang Por Boon Chu entered the monastic life with a sincere desire for liberation. After his initial 2–3 years of ordination, his search for a true master led him to Wat Nong Pah Pong.
At that time, Wat Nong Pah Pong was a rigorous training ground where Ajahn Chah was shaping the first generation of his great disciples. Luang Por Boon Chu remained there for sixteen years, serving his teacher and immersing himself in a lifestyle of extreme simplicity, hard physical labor, and intensive meditation. This long period of "staying close to the teacher" allowed him to absorb the subtle nuances of Ajahn Chah’s wisdom and the "unshakable" quality of the forest monk’s heart.
Leadership at Wat Pah Bodhiyan
Recognizing his maturity and spiritual strength, he was eventually sent to lead Wat Pah Bodhiyan (commonly known as Wat Keuan), located near the Sirindhorn Dam in Ubon. As the 8th branch of the mother monastery, it has grown into a major spiritual hub under his guidance.
The monastery is famous for its natural beauty and its strict adherence to the Patipada (the way of practice) established by Ajahn Chah. Luang Por Boon Chu has maintained the forest environment as a primary teacher, ensuring that monks and laypeople alike have a place to practice away from the distractions of modern life.