Luang Pu Khruang Suphattho

Phra Thep Phra Khun Khruang
Personal life
Born	(1910-07-15)15 July 1910
Died	28 July 2008(2008-07-28) (aged 98)
Religious life
Religion	Buddhism
Temple	Wat Sa Kham Phaeng Yai
Sect	Mahanikaya
Dharma names	Suphattho

Phra Mongkhon Wut or Luang Pu Khruang, Dhamma name Suphattho, was a revered Buddhist monk and a Phra Ratchakhana of the third class. He was the 7th Abbot of Wat Sa Kham Phaeng Yai and the founder and benefactor of the Si Sa Ket Buddhist College, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.

Luang Pu Khruang studied Dhammakaya meditation under Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, Bangkok, and was also a disciple of Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta.

Biography

Phra Mongkhon Wut was born Khruang Prathombut on 15 July 1910 at Ban Kho Khamphaeng (now Ban Nong Paen), Village No. 3, Sa Kham Phaeng Yai Subdistrict, Uthumphon Phisai District, Si Sa Ket Province, to Mr. Son and Mrs. Yom Prathombut. He was the 4th of 14 children; six siblings died young, leaving eight survivors.

At age 8, he studied Thai with his uncle, Kas Prathombut, who taught him at home in the evenings. At age 15, he attended the government school at Wat Sa Kham Phaeng Yai with two siblings, alternating days to help their parents with farming. Later, he studied on his own and completed primary education before helping his family with household and agricultural work. ^[1]

At age 21, he was ordained as a monk in B.E. 2474 (1931) at the ubosot of Wat Samrong Noi, Village 6, Nong Hang Subdistrict, Uthumphon Phisai District, Si Sa Ket Province. His preceptor was Phra Khru Thewaratkawiwarayan (Jum Thammatipo), the sermon instructor was Phra Ajahn Bai Deeka Chom, and the instructor of monastic rules was Phra Ajahn Phromma. He received the dharma name Suphattho, meaning “Virtuous Practitioner”. ^[2]

After ordination, his mother became seriously ill and passed away. Relatives asked him to disrobe to help the family, but his father encouraged him to remain a monk and seek liberation.

He later studied the Moolkajjai scriptures for two months at Wat Thung Chai and then continued at Wat Ban Yang Yai, Muang Kaen Subdistrict, Rasi Salai District, under a master abbot to study Pali and scriptures. His studies were highly successful, passing the Nandham third grade in B.E. 2479 and second grade in B.E. 2480. On 24 June B.E. 2480, he became abbot of Wat Phong Prot, serving 10 years before moving to Wat Sa Kham Phaeng Yai in B.E. 2495 as the 7th abbot. ^[3]

Studying under Phra Mongkol Thepmuni (Sodh Candasaro)

In B.E. 2494 (1951), he went to Bangkok to study Dhammakaya meditation under Luang Pu Sodh at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. After three days of meditation practice, Phra Sodh declared that Luang Pu Khruang had mastered Dhammakaya meditation.

He then practiced meditation in forests, caves, and mountains, observing visions of snakes, tigers, and elephants, which he calmly studied with mindfulness and wisdom, realizing the essence of the Four Noble Truths.

Later Life

As abbot, he taught Buddhist studies and developed Wat Sa Kham Phaeng Yai and oversaw construction for the Si Sa Ket Buddhist College at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. He expanded the temple, crematorium, halls, and monk residences.

He became ill and was treated at Si Sa Ket Hospital on 20 July, then transferred to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani Province, and passed away peacefully on 28 July 2008, aged 98, with 77 years in the monkhood. He served as abbot of Wat Phong Prot for 10 years and Wat Sa Kham Phaeng Yai for 56 years. ^[4]

Ecclesiastical Rank

• 5 December 2007: Appointed Phra Ratchakhana of the third class, title Phra Mongkhon Wut. ^[5]

References

1. Luang Pu Khruang Suphattho
2. Biography and Conduct of Luang Pu Khruang, Wat Sa Kham Phaeng Yai
3. "Works of Theravada Monks". Archived from the original on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
4. "Luang Pu Khruang Passed Away". Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
5. Royal Gazette, Announcement of Royal Ecclesiastical Titles, Vol. 125, Part 3 Kor, 14 January 2008, p. 8