Luang Pu Dee Channo

Phra Ajahn Dee Channo
Luang Pu Dee Channo
Title	Phra Ajahn Dee Channo
Personal life
Born	Dee Wongse-ena (1892-07-26)26 July 1892 Ban Kud Nam Sai, Phanom Phrai District, Roi Et Province, Siam
Died	8 April 1959(1959-04-08) (aged 66) Yasothon Province, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Other names	Luang Pu Dee, Phra Dee
Occupation	Buddhist monk
Religious life
Religion	Buddhism
School	Theravāda
Lineage	Dhammayuttika Nikaya
Dharma names	Channo (ชะโน)
Ordination	1914 (Mahanikaya), 1927 (Dhammayuttika re-ordination)
Senior posting
Based in	Wat Phukhaokaew, Wat Pa Sunthararam

Phra Ajahn Dee Channo or Luang Pu Dee Channo was a Thai Buddhist monk of the Vipassana tradition, affiliated with the Dhammayuttika Nikaya. He was a principal disciple of Ajahn Sao Kantasilo and Ajahn Mun. ^[1]

Ajahn Dee Channo was known for his firm character, mastery in vipassana meditation, proficiency in kasina practice and psychic abilities, and eloquence in preaching. ^[2] He was skilled in sacred incantations, preservation of cultural traditions, carpentry, construction, pottery, sculpture, painting, and herbal medicine. ^[3] He was regarded as both a master craftsman and a traditional healer. ^[4]

Early life

Phra Ajahn Dee Channo (birth name Dee Wongse-ena) was born on 26 July 1892 at Mueang Phanom Phrai Daen Mriga (now Ban Kud Nam Sai, Phanom Phrai District, Roi Et Province). His father was Luang In Wongse-ena and his mother was Chantra Wongse-ena. He was the second of nine children. ^[5]

In 1909, his family moved to Ban Kud Hae, Nong Sim Subdistrict, Bung District, Ubon Ratchathani Province (present-day Kud Hae, Loeng Nok Tha District, Yasothon Province). ^[6]

Ordination

In 1914, he was ordained as a monk in the Mahanikaya at Wat Ban Kud Mahong, with Phra Thammaban as his preceptor. ^[7]

In 1927, he reordained under the Dhammayuttika Nikaya at Wat Sarang Sok, Yasothon (now Wat Si Thammaram), with Phra Khru Chittavisodhana Charn (Thongphun Sophono) as preceptor. Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta and several disciples were present at the ceremony. ^[8]

Monastic life

After ordination in 1914, Ajahn Dee resided at Wat Si Bun Rueang Tha Khaek, later becoming abbot and developing the temple into a flourishing center. Known as a gifted preacher, he famously traveled on horseback to deliver Dhamma talks. ^[9] Villagers nicknamed him Ajahn Dee Phi Yan ("Ajahn Dee whom spirits fear").

In 1922, he went on tudong (wandering practice), searching for esoteric knowledge and ascetic training. He met Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta at Ban Sam Phong, Nakhon Phanom, and became his disciple after being deeply inspired by his teachings. ^[10]

In 1926, Ajahn Dee, along with Ajahn Goeng Adhimuttako and Ajahn Sila Issaro, became widely known after they formally reordained into the Dhammayuttika order under Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Sao’s lineage. ^[11]

From 1928 onwards, Ajahn Dee founded and developed Wat Pa Sunthararam in his hometown, and later joined the Dhammayut missionary expansion into Khon Kaen Province, establishing Wat Pa Wiwek Dhamma (formerly Wat Pa Laong Nga). ^[12]

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he traveled widely across Northeast Thailand, building meditation centers, teaching meditation, healing villagers with herbs, and opposing superstition. ^[13] He also contributed to the founding of Wat Phukhaokaew and Wat Don That under the guidance of Ajahn Sao and Ajahn Mun. ^[14]

Death

In early February 1959 (B.E. 2502), Phra Ajahn Dee Channo called together the lay supporters from Ban Kut Hae, Ban Don Sawan, Ban Don Pa Mong, and Ban Don Muang to assemble at Wat Pa Sunthararam. ^[15]

Legacy

Ajahn Dee Channo is remembered as a prominent disciple of Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Sao, a skilled meditation teacher, craftsman, healer, and cultural preserver. His works remain at Wat Phukhaokaew, Wat Pa Sunthararam, and Wat Don That in Ubon Ratchathani Province. ^[16]

References

1. Nikhommanon, Pathom; Nikhommanon, Phatra (2003). Phra Khru Wiwek Phutthakit, Luang Pu Yai Sao Kantasilo, the Grand Master of Meditation. The Book of the Eastern Masters, Volume 5. Bangkok: P.A. Leaving Co., Ltd. p. 610.
2. Saengsaksittharat, Paramin. Phra Ajahn Dee Channo, Former Abbot of Wat Pa Sunthararam, Ban Kut Hae, Lek Nok Tha District, Yasothon Province. p. 153.
3. Nikhommanon, Pathom; Nikhommanon, Phatra (2011). Phra Yanawisit Samitthiwirachan (Luang Pu Singh Khantayakamo), Wat Pa Salawan, Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Southern Isan Eastern Masters Book Project, Volume 2. Bangkok: P.A. Leaving Co., Ltd. p. 657.
4. Kruba Jaew, Phra Thammatharo (2011). The Dharma Biography of Luang Pu Cham Mahapunyo, the Man of Great Merit. Bangkok: Matichon Printing. p. 622.
5. Saengsaksittharat, Paramin. Phra Ajahn Dee Channo, Former Abbot of Wat Pa Sunthararam. p. 153.
6. Phiromchai, Jongdee (2014). History of Wat Pa Wiwek Tham (Laeng Nga). Khon Kaen: Khlang Nanatham Printing Co., Ltd. p. 75.
7. Saengsaksittharat, Paramin. Phra Ajahn Dee Channo, Former Abbot of Wat Pa Sunthararam. p. 153.
8. Nikhommanon, Pathom; Nikhommanon, Phatra (2011). Phra Yanawisit Samitthiwirachan. p. 657.
9. Saengsaksittharat, Paramin. Phra Ajahn Dee Channo. p. 153.
10. Kruba Jaew, Phra Thammatharo (2011). Dharma Biography of Luang Pu Cham Mahapunyo. p. 622.
11. Nikhommanon, Pathom; Nikhommanon, Phatra (2003). Phra Khru Wiwek Phutthakit. p. 610.
12. Phiromchai, Jongdee (2014). History of Wat Pa Wiwek Tham. p. 75.
13. Saengsaksittharat, Paramin. Phra Ajahn Dee Channo. p. 153.
14. "Image of the Reclining Buddha (Sleeping Buddha) at Wat Don That". Local Information Division, Academic Resources Center, Ubon Ratchathani University. 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-12-26.
15. Disciples and Devotees (2015). Rom Yen Rom Tham, Phra Khru Sunt Silakhan (Singthong Pabhakaro). Bangkok: Med Sai Printing. p. 278.
16. "Image of the current Ubosot of Wat Phu Khao Kaew". Local Information Division, Academic Resources Center, Ubon Ratchathani University. 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01.