Phra Khru Vinaithorn Phet Thanagaro (Phra Acharn Phet)

Abbot of Wat Prayong Gittivanaram

Phra Acharn Phet ordained in 1995. His marriage to a medical doctor from the south of Thailand was planned, when he decided to ordain as a monk for one rainy season (vassa).

This is what Thai men usually have to do before they get married - or at least once in their lifetime they have to become a monk for a short time. Most do it for 3 months (one vassa).

Phra Acharn Phet was ordained in a temple at Kanchanaburi province. Soon after his ordination he went to a cave at Sayok District and started to meditate intensively.

After rainy season he did not want to leave monk-hood anymore but continued to meditate for four years in this cave. So the marriage never happened.

After practicing intensively in this cave for 4 years, he went on a pilgrimage to Bhutan by foot. He met many great meditation masters from different traditions and learned different technics of meditation practice.

After 6 years pilgrimage he returned to Thailand and helped to build one temple in Kanchanaburi province and one in Pathumthani province.

Finally he came to Nong Chok to meditate in the paddy fields. After receiving the offering of the land he started to build Wat Prayong Gittivanaram where he lives and practices.