Introduction
Luang Por Sumedho is the most senior Western representative of the Thai Forest Tradition. A direct disciple of the legendary Ajahn Chah, he was the first Westerner to be trained by the master in the jungles of Northeast Thailand. For over four decades, Luang Por Sumedho has been the primary visionary behind the establishment of the Forest Sangha in the West, overseeing the founding of numerous monasteries across Europe, North America, and Australasia. He is revered worldwide for his profound wisdom, humor, and his "intuitive" approach to the Dhamma.
Early Life and Global Journey
Born Robert Karr Jackman in Seattle in 1934, Luang Por Sumedho’s early life was marked by service and academic pursuit. He served as a U.S. Navy medic during the Korean War before pursuing a BA in Far Eastern Studies and an MA in South Asian Studies at UC Berkeley.
His path to the robe was unexpected; while serving in the Peace Corps in Borneo and traveling through Singapore, the sight of a passing Buddhist monk sparked a deep, intuitive interest in the monastic life. In 1966, he traveled to Nong Khai, Thailand, to begin his life as a novice, taking full Bhikkhu ordination the following year.
Training with Ajahn Chah
In 1967, Luang Por Sumedho became the first Western disciple of Ajahn Chah at Wat Nong Pah Pong. He spent ten years in rigorous training, living a life of extreme simplicity and intensive meditation. His relationship with Ajahn Chah was foundational; the master’s emphasis on "being the practice" rather than just studying it became the hallmark of Luang Por's own teaching style.
In 1975, he helped establish and became the first abbot of Wat Pa Nanachat (The International Forest Monastery) in Thailand, a site dedicated specifically to training the growing number of non-Thai seekers.
Planting the Dhamma in the West
In 1977, Ajahn Chah brought Luang Por Sumedho to England. Recognizing the potential for the Dhamma to flourish in the West, Ajahn Chah instructed him to remain and establish a branch monastery. This led to the founding of:
Cittaviveka (Chithurst Buddhist Monastery): The first Thai Forest monastery in the UK, established in 1979.
The Siladhara Lineage: In a landmark move for the tradition, Luang Por established a ten-precept ordination lineage for women.
Amaravati Buddhist Monastery: Founded in 1984, this became his primary residence and a major international center for Dhamma study and practice.
Global Impact and Retirement
Luang Por Sumedho’s influence extends far beyond the monasteries he founded. He has been a primary catalyst for a global network of monasteries that now spans the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, France, Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
After serving as a spiritual beacon for the Western Sangha for decades, Luang Por Sumedho announced his retirement in 2010, handing the abbotship of Amaravati to Ajahn Amaro. After spending several years in Thailand, he returned to Amaravati in 2020, where he currently resides as the community's most senior elder.