Luang Por Khun Parissuddho

Phra Devavidhyāgama (Thai: พระเทพวิทยาคม; 4 October 1923 – 16 May 2015), also known by his honorific monastic name Khun Parissuddho (Thai: คูณ ปริสุทฺโธ^[1]), widely known as Luang Phor Khun, was a highly respected Thai Buddhist monk and renowned meditation master affiliated with Wat Ban Rai in Kud Pimarn subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.^[2]

Phra Devavidhyāgama (Khun Parissuddho)
Title	Phra Devavidhyāgama(2004)
Personal life
Born	Khun Chatproklang (1923-10-04)4 October 1923 Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Died	16 May 2015(2015-05-16) (aged 91) Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Other names	Luang Por Khun
Occupation	Buddhist monk
Religious life
Religion	Buddhism
Dharma names	Parisuddho
Senior posting
Teacher	Luang Por Khong Bhuddhasaro
Based in	Wat Ban Rai

Early life

Khun Parissuddho was born on Thursday, 4 October 1923 (Thai lunar calendar: 10th waning moon of the 10th lunar month, Year of the Pig), in Ban Rai, Kud Pimarn subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. His birth name was Khun Chatproklang (คูณ ฉัตร์พลกรัง). He was the son of Boon and Thongkhao Chatproklang, who were farmers, and had two younger sisters, Khamman and Thonglor. After the death of their parents during their early childhood, the siblings were raised by their aunt. At about age 6–7, Khun studied Thai and Khmer with Phra Ajahn Chueam, Ajahn Chai, and Ajahn Lee, learning literacy as well as occult and protective chants. At an early age, he became knowledgeable in esoteric practices.^[2]

Monastic life

Khun Chatproklang was ordained as a novice monk at Wat Thanon Hak Yai, Kud Pimarn subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot, on 5 May 1944,^[2] receiving the monastic name Parisuttho. He first studied under Luang Por Daeng of Wat Ban Nong Pho, who was noted for his strict practice in both *khandha-dhura* (disciplined cultivation) and *vipassanā-dhura* (insight meditation), and was widely respected as a meditation master.^[2]

Later, he apprenticed under Luang Phor Khong Puttasaro, a colleague of Luang Phor Daeng, who encouraged him to engage in forest and ascetic meditation practice (thudong) in the remote wilderness of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, eventually traveling into Laos and Cambodia. He pursued these practices to cultivate higher meditative attainments aiming for liberation from craving and mental afflictions.^[2]

Subsequently, he returned to Thailand via the Surin–Nakhon Ratchasima border and initiated construction of permanent monastic structures at Wat Ban Rai, beginning with an ordination hall (phutthasima) in 1953. He also built monk’s quarters, a sermon hall (sala kan phra rang), a pond for daily use, and a school for local youth.^[2]

He remained at Wat Ban Rai for the rest of his life until his passing on 16 May 2015, aged 91.^[3]

Legendary episode

In April 1972, Luang Phor Khun intervened during a hostage situation when two armed criminals, Thong Ochanket and Jira Yachan, seized villagers and threatened them with a hand grenade. Despite their weapons, he persuaded Thong to surrender by teaching about karma and moral consequences; Thong discarded his gun. Jira fled, and Phor Khun pursued him. At one point, Jira attempted to shoot him, but the gun failed to fire. Phor Khun wrestled Jira down until villagers could restrain him and hand both over to the police.^[4][5]

Educational philanthropy

Luang Phor Khun established two educational institutions through his donations: Luang Phor Khun Technical College and Luang Phor Khun Secondary School, aimed at providing vocational and secondary education for local youth.

Luang Phor Khun Technical College

On 19 October 1993, he proposed founding a vocational college in his name to keep students from leaving the region for vocational training. The idea was implemented with cooperation from Mr. Samret Wongsakda, a lecturer at Nakhon Ratchasima Technical College. On 12 May 1994, the Ministry of Education officially established the Luang Phor Khun Technical College under the Department of Vocational Education.^{[citation needed]} Phra Thepwitthayakhom funded the construction of classrooms, workshops, a library, administrative buildings, teachers’ housing, and utilities. The project, completed by academic year 1997, cost over 400 million baht.

On 14 February 2001, he donated 50 million baht to the college’s director to establish a named foundation. This funded a 32-million‑baht eco‑library and an additional 24-million‑baht donation covered construction and furniture. The college later became the center of the **Northeastern Vocational Education Institute 5**, merging with seven other technical colleges across four provinces in 2013.^{[citation needed]}

Luang Phor Khun Secondary School

Founded after Luang Phor Khun was granted the ecclesiastical title Phra Yana Witthayakhom Thera on 12 August 1993. The school began as a branch of Dan Khun Thot Secondary School, offering lower-secondary education with a budget of over 11 million baht, including classrooms, staff housing, and utilities. The cornerstone was laid on 26 August 1993, and construction finished in 1994. High-ranking officials presided over these events. The institution was officially named **Luang Phor Khun Secondary School** on 19 December 1998.^{[citation needed]} On 8 February 2008, under Thailand’s decentralization policy, administration of the school was transferred to the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administrative Organization.^{[citation needed]}

Other charitable works

He also supported:

• **Luang Phor Khun Hospital**
• **Luang Phor Khun Technical College / Northeastern Vocational Institute 5**
• Construction of academic buildings at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University – Nakhon Ratchasima Campus
• Donation of air-conditioned buses to Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Surin Campus
• Donation of fan-cooled buses for regional campuses of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Ecclesiastical titles

• On 12 August 1992, he was appointed Phra Yana Witthayakhom Thera (third-class ecclesiastical rank within the Vipassanā discipline).^[6]
• On 10 June 1996, elevated to Phra Ratcha Witthayakhom (royal-class ecclesiastical rank, Vipassanā discipline).^[7]
• On 12 August 2004, elevated to Phra Thep Witthayakhom (scholastic/royal class).^[8]

Death

Early on Friday morning, 15 May 2015 at approximately 05:45, his attendants at Wat Ban Rai found him unconscious and unresponsive. Doctors from Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital and Dan Khun Thot Hospital determined he had ceased breathing and his heart had stopped. Emergency resuscitation lasted an hour before he stabilized and was fitted with ventilator and cardiac-stimulating devices. He was transferred to the ICU of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, where doctors identified a collapsed lung and airway obstruction requiring close monitoring.^[9]

Later that day, doctors at Siriraj Hospital joined in treatment. By 20:00 his vital signs remained unstable, he experienced gastrointestinal bleeding, and acute renal failure left him without urine output. All complications arose from prolonged failure of respiratory and cardiac function.^[10] On Saturday morning (16 May), additional complications—including blood clotting disorders and chest hemorrhage—caused respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Sustained CPR and dialysis treatment were administered, but multiorgan failure progressed.^[11] At 11:45, he was declared deceased at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, aged 91, having served as a monk for 71 years.^[12] At 12:15, the lead physician, Dr. Pinitchai Nakphan, stated the cause of death was a pneumothorax (air leaking into the lung) which led to cardiac arrest after prolonged resuscitation had depleted oxygen to the brain and vital organs.^[13]

Final wishes (Will)

Luang Phor Khun's will, dated 25 June 2000, specified that his body should be transferred within 24 hours of death to **Khon Kaen University’s Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy**, for study purposes. He requested that religious rites and a seven-day funeral wake be held at the faculty rather than his home temple. He ordered that funeral arrangements remain modest—without royal cremation or special state ceremonies—and that his ashes be scattered in the Mekong River near Nakhon Phanom or Nong Khai, witnessed by university and temple officials.^[14]

His disciples and associates fully honored these wishes, without any ceremony at Wat Ban Rai. His body was moved from the hospital at 20:00 to the university’s 25‑Year Meeting Hall, arriving around 22:00 and placed in a glass coffin. On 17 May, a public procession to the university convention center began at 14:00, and his body lay in repose there for seven days (17–25 May), until 23:00 each evening, as specified in his will.^[15]

During this time, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, and the Royal Family granted royal funeral honors, including wreaths and a royal cremation urn. The palace appointed the Royal Household Bureau to conduct the ceremony and provided special royal regalia.^[16] On 29 January 2019, a royal cremation ceremony was held at the temporary crematorium at Wat Nong Waeng (Phuttamon Isan), Khon Kaen Province.^[17]

Various Charitable Works

• Luang Por Koon Parisuttho Hospital
• Luang Por Koon Parisuttho Technical College Northeastern Vocational Education Institute 5
• Constructed the Luang Por Koon Parisuttho School Building for Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Nakhon Ratchasima Campus
• Donated an air-conditioned bus to Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Surin Campus
• Donated a fan to Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Surin Campus

Ecclesiastical Rank, Fan Title

• August 12, 1992, Phra Rajakhana Samana Class promoted to the Vipassana Thura division in the Royal Title at Phra Yanawittayakom Thera, (S.Y.W.)^[18]
• June 10, 1996, Phra Rajakhana Raj Class promoted to the Vipassana Thura division in the Royal Title at Phra Ratchawitthayakom, Wi. Udomkitjanukijjathorn Mahakanisorn Bowornsangkharam Khamwasi^[19]
• 12 August 2004 Thep-class royal monk of the Vipassanathura division in Royal Title at Phra Thep Witthayakhom, Wi. Udomthammasunthon Pasathakornworakit Mahakanisorn Bowornsangkharam Khamwasi^[20]