Phra Khru Yan Wilat was born on Wednesday, the 2nd day of the waxing moon, 11th lunar month, Year of the Rabbit, Chulasakarat 1241 (17 September 1879), at Bang Chak Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phetchaburi Province.[1] He was the fifth child of Mr. Paen and Mrs. Num Onsaeng, with a total of nine siblings:
Mrs. Yia Onsaeng
Mrs. Tia Onsaeng (Monchu)
Mrs. Jek Onsaeng (Thapsi)
Miss Prem Onsaeng
Phra Khru Yan Wilat (Daeng Ratto)
Mrs. Thiap Onsaeng (Thapsi)
Phra Khru Panya Chotiwat (Charoen Thammachoti)
Mrs. Lek Onsaeng
Mrs. Noi Onsaeng (Koetpradap)
He passed away on 16 January 1974 at 9:05 p.m., aged 96.[2][3]
Ordination
In his youth he helped his parents farm and did not receive much formal education. At the age of 20, his parents wished him to ordain, so they entrusted him to Abbot Plian of Wat Khao Bandai It. He was ordained on 24 May 1901 at 3:13 p.m. His preceptor was Phra Khru Yan Wisutthi (Phuang) of Wat Kaen Lek, with Abbot Plian as kammavācācariya, and Abbot Am of Wat Thong Noppakhun as anusasana-acariya. He received the dharma name "Ratto," meaning "red."
Study of Dhamma
After ordination, Abbot Plian taught him Vipassanā meditation. In addition, Luang Phor Daeng studied under two other masters: Phra Suwanmuni (Chui Sukho) of Wat Kongkharam, Phetchaburi, and Luang Phor Chaem Inthachoto of Wat Takong, Nakhon Pathom. They frequently practiced meditation together in the caves of Wat Khao Bandai It. Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, a disciple, recalled that Luang Phor Daeng revered these two masters deeply and always carried their amulets in his satchel.
Monastic Life
Luang Phor Daeng strictly upheld the Vinaya, lived simply, and disliked extravagance. He often taught disciples to be grateful and honest, saying: “Even though I cannot read or write, I became abbot of Wat Khao Bandai It. Therefore, be honest and make your contributions clear—goodness will bring everything.”
He established the Buddhist scripture school at Wat Khao Bandai It so monks and novices could study, explaining: “I cannot read or write, so I want monks and novices to learn.”
He was renowned as a teacher of vipassanā meditation for both monks and laypeople. On 5 December 1959, he was granted the ecclesiastical title of Phra Khru with the name Phra Khru Yan Wilat.[4]
5 December 1959 – Granted title Phra Khru (Yan Wilat)[5]
5 December 1968 – Promoted to senior Phra Khru, subdistrict ecclesiastical chief, meditation department
Passing
He passed away of old age on Wednesday, 16 January 1974, aged 95, in the 73rd year of his monkhood. Before passing, he told Phra Palat Boonsong Thammappalo, the deputy abbot: “When I die, do not cremate me. Keep my body in the chanting hall. Place the first-generation amulet I consecrated in my mouth along with one pod duang coin. Cover my body with turmeric so it turns golden.”
His body remains enshrined in a mother-of-pearl coffin in the chanting hall of Wat Khao Bandai It, where devotees may pay respect daily from 8:00–17:00.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
