Luang Por Anek Yasadinno

Introduction

Luang Por Anek Yasadinno is one of the most senior and deeply respected elders within the global community of the Ajahn Chah lineage. Known for his humility, craftsmanship, and profound dedication to the Dhamma, he has served as a pillar of the Thai Forest Tradition for over five decades. He is the founding abbot of Wat Pah Sai Ngam, a monastery renowned for its natural beauty and its role as a sanctuary for both spiritual practice and social compassion.

Early Life and Path to the Forest

Born in 1946 in the Det Udom District of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, Luang Por Anek’s spiritual journey began in his youth. In 1967, at the age of 21, he received full ordination as a Bhikkhu at his local village monastery.

Seeking a deeper and more rigorous practice, he moved to Wat Nong Pah Pong in 1968 to train under the direct tutelage of the legendary meditation master Luang Por Chah. During these formative years, he immersed himself in the "Forest Way"—a lifestyle centered on simplicity, endurance, and the constant cultivation of mindfulness in all postures.

Building Wat Pah Sai Ngam: The Temple of Banyan Trees

In 1973, after several years of intensive training, Luang Por Anek was entrusted by Luang Por Chah to establish a new branch monastery. He became the first abbot of Wat Pah Sai Ngam, a role he has held for over 50 years.

Luang Por Anek is uniquely recognized for his artistic and architectural vision. He personally oversaw the design and construction of the monastery, which is famous for:

• The "Banyan Tree" Design: The monastery is integrated seamlessly with the surrounding forest, featuring unique structures built around giant banyan trees and natural rock formations.

• Handcrafted Artistry: Many of the monastery’s Buddha images and statues were handcrafted by Luang Por Anek himself, reflecting his belief that work and craftsmanship are forms of meditation.

• Open-Air Dhamma Hall: The monastery’s Sala (hall) is designed with an open-air concept, allowing the Sangha and laypeople to practice amidst the sounds and elements of nature.

Social Welfare and Compassion

Beyond his role as a meditation teacher, Luang Por Anek is a pioneer in integrating Buddhist principles with social welfare. Since 1991, he has established and led numerous community projects, including:

• The Buffalo and Cow Welfare Fund: Rescuing animals and supporting sustainable rural livelihoods.

• Sangha Medical Fund: Assisting with the healthcare needs of monastics in remote areas.

• Community Compassion Funds: Providing financial and spiritual support to the underprivileged in the Ubon province.

Luang Por Liem

Introduction

Most Venerable Luang Por Liem Ṭhitadhammo is the spiritual head of the worldwide Ajahn Chah lineage. As the chosen successor to Ajahn Chah, he carries the weight of maintaining the standards of the "Forest Tradition" for over 300 branch monasteries globally. He is a living embodiment of the Dhamma, revered for his profound simplicity, unwavering discipline (Vinaya), and a presence that radiates the "silent wisdom" characteristic of the great forest masters.

Early Life and The Call of the Forest

Born on November 5, 1941, in Sri Saket Province, Northeast Thailand, Luang Por Liem entered the monastic life at the age of twenty. While he spent his early years practising in village monasteries, his search for a deeper, more authentic practice led him to join the Forest Tradition in 1969.

It was during this time that he met Luang Pu Chah at Wat Nong Pah Pong. Under Luang Pu’s guidance, he found the rigorous training he was seeking—a lifestyle centered on endurance, mindfulness, and the total integration of Dhamma into every physical action.

The Chosen Successor

Luang Por Liem quickly became one of Ajahn Chah’s closest and most trusted disciples. His dedication to the community and his steady, reliable nature were evident to all. In 1982, when Ajahn Chah became severely ill and lost his ability to speak, the heavy responsibility of leading the community fell upon Luang Por Liem.

Recognizing his wisdom and administrative capacity, the Sangha of Wat Nong Pah Pong formally appointed him as the Abbot. For over 40 years, he has fulfilled this duty, serving as the "Steady Anchor" for the lineage during its period of massive international expansion.

Guardian of the Heritage

Luang Por Liem’s primary mission has been the preservation of the "Heritage of Wat Nong Pah Pong." This involves:

• The Standard of Sila: Maintaining the strict monastic discipline that Ajahn Chah insisted upon.

• Communal Harmony: Guiding a diverse, international Sangha of monks, nuns, and lay practitioners with a "cool heart" (Jai Yen).

• Simplicity: Despite his high rank and global influence, Luang Por remains incredibly accessible, often found engaged in manual labour or sitting quietly in the forest, demonstrating that the highest Dhamma is found in the simplest acts.

Dhamma Talk by Luang Por Sumedho - Sun 6 May 2018

LP Sumedho

Ven. Ajahn Sumedho was born in the USA, became a bhikkhu in 1967 and trained nine years under LP Chah at Wat Pah Pong, a forest monastery in Ubon province, Thailand. In 1976 he was invited to Britain; he established Cittaviveka (Chithurst Buddhist Monastery) in West Sussex in 1979, and Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hertfordshire in 1984. During his thirty-four years of being based in Britain, he taught extensively throughout the world, has inducted more than a hundred aspirants of many nationalities into the samaṇa life, and also authorised the establishment of six other monasteries. Many of his talks are available in audio versions, and some have been transcribed and edited into a collection of books.

In November 2010, LP Sumedho put aside his duties as abbot and teacher and is practising in more secluded environments.

Ven. Dhammavuddho Mahathera

Ven. Dhammavuddho Mahathera was the abbot of Vihara Buhhha Gotama. As a layman, he graduated from the University Malaya in 1971 and worked as an Electrical Engineer with the Public Works Department. In 1983, he went forth into the homeless life in the Mahayana tradition. Three years later, he was reordained in the Theravada tradition in Thailand. Thereafter, he spent about 10 years living the solitary lifestyle in quiet places.

He has written numerous booklets on Buddhism, e.g. Return to the Original Buddha's Teachings, Message of the Buddha, Buddhist Monk's Precepts, Liberation: Relevance of Sutta-Vinaya, Only We Can Help Ourselves, etc. His talks in English, Hokkien/Fujian, Cantonese, span the years 1988 - 2013. The 5 Nikayas in English, Hokkien Angguttara Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya; as well as other talks have been recorded in audio and video. In 1998 he established the Vihara Buddha Gotama, a 15-acre piece of land outside Temoh, Perak. In 2012, he consented to be on the Monastic Advisory Panel of the Theravāda Buddhist Council of Malaysia (TBCM).

Dhamma Talk by Luangpor Dhammavuddho on 24 June 2018 : How To Cultivate The Ariyan Eightfold Path

Venerable Dhammavuddho Mahathera is the abbot of Vihara Buhhha Gotama. As a layman he graduated from the University Malaya in 1971 and worked as an Electrical Engineer with the Public Works Department. In 1983, he went forth into the homeless life in the Mahayana tradition. Three years later, he was reordained in the Theravada tradition in Thailand. Thereafter, he spent about 10 years living the solitary lifestyle in quiet places.

He has written numerous booklets on Buddhism, e.g. Return to the Original Buddha's Teachings, Message of the Buddha, Buddhist Monk's Precepts, Liberation: Relevance of Sutta-Vinaya, Only We Can Help Ourselves, etc. His talks in English, Hokkien/Fujian, Cantonese, span the years 1988 - 2013. The 5 Nikayas in English, Hokkien Angguttara Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya; as well as other talks have been recorded in audio and video. In 1998 he established the Vihara Buddha Gotama, a 15 acre piece of land outside Temoh,Perak.In 2012, he consented to be on the Monastic Advisory Panel of the Theravāda Buddhist Council of Malaysia (TBCM).

Luang Por Anan Akiñcano

Introduction

Luang Por Anan Akiñcano is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished meditation masters in the contemporary Thai Forest Tradition. A close personal disciple of the legendary Ajahn Chah, Luang Por Anan is revered for his profound mastery of Samadhi (concentration) and his ability to explain deep meditative states with clarity and simplicity. As the founding Abbot of Wat Marp Jan, he provides spiritual guidance to hundreds of monastics and thousands of lay practitioners globally.

Early Training and Service to Ajahn Chah

Luang Por Anan entered the monastic life in 1975, ordaining at Wat Nong Pah Pong under the tutelage of Ajahn Chah. Recognizing his potential and sincere dedication, he was chosen to serve as Ajahn Chah’s personal attendant.

For four years, Luang Por Anan lived in close proximity to his teacher, learning not only through formal meditation but through the observation of Ajahn Chah’s daily conduct. This period of "training through service" allowed him to develop a deep, intuitive understanding of the Dhamma and a resilient heart.

The Path of a Forest Ascetic

Following his years of service, Luang Por Anan sought the solitude of the wilderness to deepen his insight. He spent years as a wandering monk (Tudong), seeking out remote and often hazardous locations to test his mental strength.

In 1984, his journey led him to a dense, uninhabited forest in Rayong Province. Here, he established what would become Wat Marp Jan (The Monastery of the Moon Mountain). The early years were defined by extreme hardship; Luang Por lived in a simple bamboo hut and survived multiple life-threatening bouts of malaria. These near-death experiences served only to sharpen his focus on the impermanence of life and the urgency of practice.

A Master of Stillness and Wisdom

As Luang Por Anan’s reputation for profound inner peace grew, so did the community around him. He is specifically noted for his mastery of the Jhanas (deep meditative absorptions) and his emphasis on using a stable, still mind to investigate the nature of reality.

Today, he oversees an extensive network of practitioners:

• Wat Marp Jan: A premier training center for both Thai and Western monastics.

• Branch Monasteries: He is responsible for over ten branch monasteries and the spiritual welfare of more than 100 monks.

• International Reach: He is a frequent guest teacher in Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia, where his teachings on "developing the heart" resonate with urban practitioners.

Ven. Ajahn Cagino

Introduction

Ajahn Cagino is a Malaysian-born monk whose spiritual journey is as remarkable as it is inspiring. Formerly an internationally acclaimed professional photographer, he traded his camera for the monastic robes to seek a deeper truth. Today, he is widely respected for his arduous 4,000km "Tudong" walking journeys and his compassionate work with hilltribe orphans in Northern Thailand through the Dhammagiri Foundation.

From Award-Winning Photographer to Monk

Before his ordination, Ajahn Cagino (born 1967 in Seremban) was a rising star in the world of photography. Between the ages of 22 and 27, he won over 40 prestigious awards, including first place in the Asia Photography Competition. However, professional success did not quell his inner search for meaning.

His quest for Dhamma led him through the forests of Thailand and New Zealand. He initially ordained as a Samanera (novice) at Ang Hock Si Temple in Penang for a year and a half before receiving full Bhikkhu ordination in 1996 at the age of 29. He spent his first five years under the guidance of Luang Por Gungha in Thailand.

Re-ordination and the 4,000km Journey

In 2001, seeking to deepen his practice in the lineage of Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Cagino re-ordained at Wat Pah Nanachat (the International Forest Monastery). It was during this period that he undertook a legendary Tudong—a solitary walking pilgrimage—covering no less than 4,000km on foot through the rugged wilderness of North and Northeast Thailand.

During these years of wandering, he picked up his camera once more, not for personal fame, but to document the daily lives and quiet dignity of forest monks. These images were later compiled into the renowned photographic essay, "Dhammafarers," which has touched the hearts of many worldwide.

The Birth of Dhammagiri Foundation

While practicing in the remote caves of Mae Hong Son province, Ajahn Cagino’s path took a turn toward social compassion. He encountered children from minority hilltribes who were orphaned or living in extreme poverty. Seeing their vulnerability to drug trafficking and exploitation, he felt a profound calling to help.

In 2010, he established the Dhammagiri Foundation, a Buddhist children's home that provides:

• Education & Guidance: Scholarships and a safe environment for disadvantaged children.

• Dhamma Foundation: Teaching moral values, compassion, and self-sufficiency.

• Cultural Preservation: Helping children maintain their heritage while adapting to modern society.

Current Leadership

In 2014, Ajahn Cagino established Wat Hongson Wanaram, which was officially recognized as the 302nd branch monastery of Wat Nong Pah Pong. He continues to balance his intensive personal meditation practice with the management of the Dhammagiri Foundation, serving as a bridge between the solitary life of the forest and the compassionate service of society.

"The most beautiful photograph is not captured by a lens, but by a heart that is still and kind." — Ajahn Cagino