Introduction
Luang Por Dtun is widely considered one of the most significant living meditation masters in Thailand today. A direct disciple of the legendary Ajahn Chah, he is revered for his impeccable conduct (Sila), his profound meditative insights, and a remarkably gentle demeanor that masks a powerful and unwavering dedication to the Dhamma. His life and teachings serve as a beacon for both monastics and laypeople seeking the path to inner liberation.
Early Life and Renunciation
Born in 1955 in the historic province of Ayutthaya, Luang Por Dtun was raised in the bustling environment of Bangkok. Despite his urban upbringing and his success in academia—completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics—he felt a powerful pull toward the spiritual life from a young age.
In his mid-twenties, he chose to leave behind a promising worldly career to seek the truth of the Buddha’s teachings. He traveled to Northeast Thailand to ordain at Wat Nong Pah Pong, where he was accepted as a disciple by Ajahn Chah, who served as his preceptor.
A Reputation for Excellence
Even during his early years as a junior monk, Luang Por Dtun’s practice was a subject of quiet awe among his peers. He was noted for his extraordinary diligence, often spending entire nights in walking and sitting meditation. His fellow monks frequently remarked on the distinct aura of calm and clarity that surrounded him, a testament to his deep concentration and purity of heart.
Under Ajahn Chah’s guidance, he mastered the fundamentals of the forest tradition, emphasizing the integration of strict monastic discipline with the constant investigation of the mind.
Establishing Wat Boonyawad
After years of intensive practice in the remote forests of Thailand, Luang Por Dtun was eventually invited to lead a small hermitage in Chonburi. Under his compassionate leadership, this humble site evolved into Wat Boonyawad, now one of the most prominent and respected training monasteries in the country.
Today, Wat Boonyawad is home to approximately fifty monks. Despite the monastery's size, Luang Por Dtun maintains a rigorous standard of practice, ensuring that the environment remains dedicated to silence, meditation, and the authentic forest lifestyle established by his teacher.