Wisdom of the World: Phra Rachaseelsopit, Scholar of Maha Sarakham

On Friday, February 20, 2026, a memorial will be held for Phra Rachaseelsopit, also known as Luang Pu Tha Buddhassaro, a senior Buddhist monk who was an expert in writing Pali-Thai religious texts and local historical chronicles. He was widely recognized as a scholarly monk from the Isan region, originally named Tha Chaiyayon, born on March 12, 1894, in Ban Tai Nang Nai, Maha Sarakham Province. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to religious education, achieving multiple levels of Buddhist scholarly qualifications and becoming a prominent religious leader. He served in various administrative roles within the Buddhist monastic system, including as the Maha Sarakham Provincial Sangha Chief, and was known for his extensive knowledge of ancient scripts and local cultural preservation. In his later years, he became famous for his teachings and was visited by many followers seeking his wisdom. He passed away peacefully on February 20, 1982, at the age of 89, after 68 years as a Buddhist monk.