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The Life of Luang Poo Waen Sujinno

He was very skillful in meditation and Dharma. The most distinctive nature of Luang Poo Waen was that he likes to live alone in the forests, similarly like his teacher, Archan Mun living a secluded life. Some people said that Luang Poo Waen had achieved Arahant stage. Chao Khun Nor of Wat Thepsririn has ever mentioned; "There is a living Arahant, but he lives far away in the Northern Thailand, in the deep forest hill".

Luang Poo Waen Sujinno was borned on 16 February B.E.2431 (A.D.1883) in Leoi province. He was named Yad and had one elder sister. He ordained as a novice in B.E.2440 (A.D.1892) at Wat Bodhi Chai at the age of nine years old to fulfill the wish of his mother while Luang Poo Waen was at the age of five years old. He studied with a few teachers and later ordained as a monk at a temple in Hua Thapan district of Ubon Ratchathani province at the age of 21 years old.

As a very popular monk, Luang Poo Waen is often rumoured to have sacred amulets and something that Thais from all walks of life like to receive from revered monks for their protective purpose. People from all over Thailand would often take a trip to Wat Doimaephang to request these amulets or other sacred objects from Luang Poo Waen.

He was very good in Pali language and Dharma, even at that young age. He went travelling with his teacher, Archan Wuan travel from Leoi province to Ubon Thani province. After he reached Ubon Thani province, he learned Dharma from another teacher, Archan Sing.

During his stay Ubon Thani province, he met many disciples of Phra Archan Mun Bhuridatto in the deep forests. They told Luang Poo Waen that Archan Mun is very good in meditation and Dharma. Luang Poo Waen always hopes to meet Archan Mun one day.

One day, Luang Poo Waen met another disciple of Archan Mun called Archan Deu. Archan Deu said that he knew whereabouts of Archan Mun, and willing to bring Luang Poo Waen to meet Archan Mun. Finally, Luang Poo Waen met Archan Mun in B.E.2462 (A.D.1914) in the Ban Kor forest, Udon Thani province.

Among all the teachers, Luang Poo Waen learns from Archan Mun in Udon Thani who taught him the pursuance of a secluded life and the practice of meditation and Dharma in the jungles.

After meeting Archan Mun for a short period, Luang Poo Waen went into deep forest again with Archan Deu. Luang Poo Waen endured all difficulties during his forest trip, encountered ghosts, wild animals and other dangers. Luang Poo Waen was not afraid of danger, even the villagers told him that this place or that place are dangerous and eerie, and full of evil spirits, Luang Poo Waen just went ahead because he wanted to learn from all these experiences. Luang Poo Waen spent most of his monkhood as a forest monk, travelling from one province to another on foot, climbing hills, crossing rivers and deep forests.

Luang Poo Waen travelled very widely in the Northeast of Thailand in search of isolated places where he could meditate. Luang Poo Waen traveled widely by foot through jungles and across mountains and even been to Burma and India where he paid homage to several historic Buddhist sites.

In B.E.2470 (A.D.1922), Luang Poo Waen arrived in Lampang. He met another disciple of Archan Mun called Archan Kaew. He was told that Archan Mun was in Wat Jedi Luang in Chiangmai. Luang Poo Waen travel quickly to Wat Jedi Luang to look for Archan Mun.

Finally, Luang Poo Waen met Archan Mun and Archan Deu at Wat Jedi Luang. Archan Mun formally accepted Luang Poo Waen as his disciple. He studied Dharma with Archan Mun at Wat Jedi Luang for quite some time. After Archan Mun left Wat Jedi Luang, Luang Poo Waen also left and stayed at Wat Huannumrim, Chiangmai province for 10 years.

During his long stay at Wat Huannumrim, he spends most of his time in the forests and only went to the temple during the rainy seasons.

At B.E.2505 (A.D.1962), Archan Noon, the abbot of Wat Doimaephang asked Luang Poo Waen to stay permanently at Wat Doimaephang because Archan Noon regards Luang Poo Waen as his teacher. After Archan Noon passed away, the villagers persuaded Luang Poo Waen to become the abbot of Wat Doimaephang. Luang Poo Waen remained in Wat Doimaephang until he passed away, living the life as a forest monk all at all time in a small hut away from the temple.

Luang Poo Waen was also once featured in the Asia Magazine. A true ascetic at heart, he had led the forest life until the point when he could no longer physically travel any more and had to settle in a forest monastery in the Chiangmai region.

On 2 July B.E.2528 (A.D.1985) at 9:54 pm, Luang Poo Waen finally passed away at the age of 102 years 5 months old and been in the monkhood for nearly 90 years.

He was given Royal-sponsored bathing ceremony at Chiangmai University, which was attended by the King and Queen of Thailand as well as the general public. His remains were cremated at Royal funeral on 16 January B.E.2529 (A.D.1986).

Though he has passed away for many years, his legacy of true Dharma practice still remain in the hearts of us.

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