Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta was a renowned master of Vipassana meditation. On 28 July 2019, UNESCO recognized him as a person of outstanding cultural significance. He became the third Thai monk to receive this honor. Earlier, in 1990, UNESCO recognized Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Vajirananavarorasa as a person of outstanding cultural achievement, making him the first Thai eminent monk to receive this distinction.
The Life of Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta
Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta was the son of Mr. Kham Duang and Mrs. Chan. He was born on Thursday, 20 January B.E. 2431, at Ban Kham Bong, Khong Chiam Subdistrict, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani (present-day Ban Kham Bong, Song Yang Subdistrict, Si Chiang Mai District, Ubon Ratchathani Province). He had seven siblings and was the eldest child of the family. He was small in stature, fair-skinned with a healthy complexion, physically strong, quick, intelligent, and obedient.
As a child, he studied traditional scripts under the guidance of his uncle, including Tai Noi script, Thai script, Dhamma script, and Khmer script. At the age of fifteen, he was ordained as a novice monk at Wat Ban Kham Bong. During his novice years, he devoted himself to studying Buddhist teachings, chanting, and various Buddhist texts. His good conduct and respectful manners earned him the admiration of those around him. When he was seventeen years old, his father asked him to leave the monkhood to help support the family. He willingly disrobed and worked diligently to assist his parents. At the age of twenty-two, he returned to the Buddhist monkhood. He was ordained as a monk at Wat Si Thong (now Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram) in Ubon Ratchathani Province. His preceptor was Phra Ariyakavi (On), his ordination instructor was Phra Khru Sitha Chayaseno, and his announcing teacher was Phra Khru Prachak Ubonkhun (Sui). He was ordained on 12 June B.E. 2436 and received the monastic name “Bhuridatta,” meaning “the giver of wisdom” or “one who shares wisdom with others.”
After his ordination, Luang Pu Mun returned to Wat Liap to study Vipassana meditation under Ajahn Sao Kantasilo. During this period, he also trained in the basic disciplines of the Vinaya, including proper conduct, etiquette, teacher-disciple practices, and monastic discipline. His exemplary behavior earned the trust of his preceptor, who then instructed him in mental cultivation through walking meditation, sitting meditation, and the observance of the dhutanga practices.
Later, he traveled extensively to practice meditation in forests, cemeteries, wilderness areas, mountains, valleys, streams, caves, and secluded places on both sides of the Mekong River. He also traveled to Bangkok to study with respected scholars and spent a rain retreat at Wat Pathum Wanaram. In later years, he continued spending rain retreats in many places throughout Northern and Northeastern Thailand. Wherever he went, he taught the Dhamma and guided lay followers in meditation practice, inspiring many people to study and cultivate their minds. As a result, the number of his disciples continued to grow across the country.
From B.E. 2484 (1941) onward, Luang Pu Mun spent the rain retreat in Sakon Nakhon Province, moving between different locations. In B.E. 2487 (1944), he settled at the forest monastery of Ban Nong Phue, Na Nai Subdistrict, Phanna Nikhom District, Sakon Nakhon Province, where he remained for the rest of his life. There, he devoted himself to teaching Samatha and Vipassana meditation, regularly giving Dhamma teachings and training his disciples. On 11 November B.E. 2492 (1949), he passed away peacefully at the age of 79 years, 9 months, and 21 days, after 56 years in monastic life. His cremation ceremony was held at Wat Pa Sutthawat in Sakon Nakhon Province.
Virtues Worth Following
Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta devoted his life to studying and practicing the teachings of Buddhism with great discipline. His way of life inspired deep faith among his disciples and many Buddhists. His Dhamma teachings often encouraged people to reflect on themselves. One of his well-known teachings says: “Do not become like caterpillars that only keep chewing palm-leaf manuscripts without paying attention to the noble truth within yourselves. Do not mistake the knowledge you have learned from the scriptures as your own wisdom. Those teachings belong to the Buddha, not to us. Thinking that we are knowledgeable and wise while our hearts are still filled with defilements higher than mountains is a misunderstanding. Therefore, always remain mindful. Do not become like empty palm-leaf manuscripts—studying in vain and dying in vain, without truly possessing the Dhamma within yourselves.” This was one of the teachings that Luang Pu Mun repeatedly reminded his disciples of. In addition, he was an outstanding master of Vipassana meditation, well known for his strict discipline and exemplary conduct. His way of practice has become an important model for Buddhists seeking to cultivate their minds and develop wisdom. Throughout his life, he made great contributions to Buddhism. Because of his virtues and teachings, people have continued to respect and revere him to this day.
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