Luang Phoo Dun, Wat Buraparam, Surin

Luang Phoo Dun was born in the village of Prasat in Surin Province, Thailand on October 4th, 1888, as the oldest of five children. When he was twentyandtwo years old, he ordained as a Buddhist monk at Wat Jumapolsuddhavasa in Surin Province. After his ordination he resided at Wat Kauko just outside the city of Surin and practiced meditation. Unfortunately the the monks discipline at Wat Kauko was not very strictly observed and his daily routine consisted more of crude duties of caring for cattle and building ox-carts. After six years of unfulfilledness, he turned to studying the scholastic side of monasticism and went to a temple to study in the city of Ubon Ratchathani.

The experience of his studies led him to an opinion that all study changed only memory, but not the real experience of practice. After Luang Phoo Dun heard a lecture of Thailand's most honored forest dwelling monk and a famous teacher, Acharn Mun. He was so inspired from his lecture of the forest practice, that he joined Acharn Mun after the rains- retreat and wandered under his guidance for the next sixteen years. After wandering in the forests and mountains for many years he returned to his home Province of Surin and settled down at Wat Nah Sahm. However, this temple was very remote and as Acharn Dun became very wellknown and respected. Many people came to listejn him. After a time, there was no room for all the people who came to hear him talk. So he was offered a place nearer to the city. Therefore Luang Phoo Dun moved moved to another forest temple called Wat Rongong Samet. He remained there during the rains-retreats but continued to go wandering outside that time especially in the untouched and deep forest of Cambodia.

The last 5 decades years of his life he resided at Wat Burapharam in Surin.  Luang Phoo Dun passed away during his 96th birthday celebration preparations on October 30, 1983.