Overview

Luang Por Sucitto is a senior Western disciple of Luang Por Sumedho and a highly respected teacher within the Ajahn Chah lineage. With over 45 years in the robes, he has been instrumental in the founding and guidance of the Forest Sangha in the United Kingdom. He is widely appreciated for his profound, nuanced teachings that often bridge the gap between traditional Buddhist monasticism and the complexities of modern psychological experience.

Early Life and Path to Ordination

Born in London in 1949, Luang Por Sucitto (then Brian Robert Basebi) entered the monastic life after a period of spiritual seeking in the early 1970s. His journey led him to Thailand, where he was ordained as a Bhikkhu (monk) at Wat Mahadhat in Bangkok in 1976.

Shortly after his ordination, he encountered Ajahn Sumedho, the first Western disciple of Ajahn Chah. This meeting proved pivotal; Luang Por Sucitto became one of the first Westerners to train under Ajahn Sumedho, eventually returning to Britain in 1978 to help establish a monastic presence in his home country.

Building the Western Forest Sangha

Luang Por Sucitto played a foundational role in the "Forest Sangha" movement in the West. He was a pioneer at the following monasteries:

Cittaviveka (Chithurst Buddhist Monastery): He was part of the original group that established this first forest monastery in the UK in 1979.
Amaravati Buddhist Monastery: He assisted in the opening of this large training center in 1984.

In 1992, he was appointed Abbot of Cittaviveka, a position he held for 22 years. Under his leadership, the monastery flourished as a center for rigorous practice and a sanctuary for the lay community.

Current Activity

Since stepping down as Abbot in 2014, Luang Por Sucitto has dedicated his time to teaching internationally and leading long retreats. He continues to travel extensively, sharing the Dhamma with a signature blend of deep scholarship, poetic sensitivity, and a dry British wit that resonates with practitioners globally.