Bangkok Temple Marks 143rd Birth Anniversary of Venerable Phra Metta Vihara

On Saturday, November 14, 2026, Wat Tham Khuha Sawan in Bangkok's Phasi Charoen district commemorated the 143rd birth anniversary of Phra Metta Vihara (Pad Thammatharo), the temple's former abbot and a renowned meditation master. Born Pad Rattanakhom on November 14, 1883, in Ban Tao Ith, Bang Ngam subdistrict, Sri Prachan district (now Mueang district), Suphan Buri, he was the eldest son. As a youth he assisted his parents in the rice trade along the waterways between Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Bangkok. After his father's death and upon reaching the age for ordination, he was ordained at Wat Phrao in Pho Phraya subdistrict, Tha Philiang district (now Mueang district), Suphan Buri in 1904, with Phra Khru Pluem of Wat Phrao, a famous Suphan Buri meditation master, as his preceptor, receiving the monastic name 'Thammatharo'.

He spent three rainy seasons at Wat Phrao, studying under Luang Por Pluem, his preceptor, and Luang Por Pring of Wat Warachan, another famed Suphan Buri meditation master of the old era. He then traveled to Bangkok to reside at Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm (Wat Pho) to study the Dhamma and Vinaya. He was a monk strict in monastic discipline, observing the ascetic practices (dhutanga) as a habit. He once walked on a dhutanga journey as far as Yangon, Myanmar, to study the Tipitaka for one rainy season. On his return he fell gravely ill, nearly dying; though he recovered, his voice remained hoarse and dry, making him sound harsh.

His strict adherence to the Vinaya and mastery of Vipassana meditation earned constant praise from Somdet Phra Sangharaj (Pun) of Wat Pho, Tha Tien, to other monks. Later he was appointed abbot of Wat Chai Chimplee on Phasi Charoen Road, developing the temple and the education of its novices to the great satisfaction of Somdet Phra Thammathid (Pun) of Wat Phra Chetuphon. When a successor was needed for Wat Khuha Sawan, he was chosen for the post in 1929.

Wat Khuha Sawan, originally named Wat Sala Si Na, is an ancient temple from the early Rattanakosin period. In the time of Phra Wisutthisara (Phong), a famous meditation master and owner of the legendary 'Phra Neua Phong Phim Luang Mu', it was the eighth abbot's residence, flourishing under his care and earning deep public respect. After his passing in 1928, finding a successor of similar caliber proved difficult. Eventually Somdet Phra Wanarat (Phuen) of Wat Phra Chetuphon assigned Phra Metta Vihara (Pad Thammatharo) to assume the abbacy, as he was a senior monk with equal Vipassana qualifications, strict Vinaya observance, and great loving-kindness. Upon taking charge he fulfilled his duties perfectly, winning the highest reverence of the faithful.

Thereafter he renovated the temple until it flourished continuously. He also collaborated with locals to build a Pariyatti Dhamma school for monks and novices, a public school for local youth, and other public amenities such as a bridge over the canal and a rainwater reservoir.

Ecclesiastical ranks: In 1925 he became Phra Thana Anukrom in the Phra Thepmuni (Phuen Tissattho) lineage under Phra Khru Baidika Pad Thammasaro. In 1926 he became Phra Thana Anukrom in the Phra Thammathid (Phuen Tissattho) lineage under Phra Khru Samuh Pad Thammasaro. In 1929 he received the royal title Phra Khru Sanyabat, Vipassanathura division, named Phra Khru Metta Vihara. In 1950 he was elevated to Phra Racha Khana Chan Samanyok, Vipassanathura division, as Phra Metta Vihara Thera. Phra Metta Vihara Thera (Pad Thammatharo) was the last Vipassanathura Phra Racha Khana to receive the royal 'Phat Ngasana' (the fan denoting the Vipassanathura Phra Racha Khana rank).