Renowned Monk Luang Por Oad of Wat Chan Sen Profiled in Biography

Phra Khru Nisai Charayakun, or Luang Por Oad Panyatharo, former district ecclesiastic chief of Takhli and former abbot of Wat Chan Sen in Chan Sen Subdistrict, Takhli District, Nakhon Sawan Province, was a renowned monk teacher. His lay name was Visutha Paento, born December 28, 1917, at house number 103, Village 7, Ban Hua Khao, Takhli Subdistrict, Takhli District, Nakhon Sawan Province. His parents were Mr. Chit and Mrs. Tuan Paento. In his youth, he completed education at Wat Hua Khao School in Takhli and helped with the family occupation. At age 20, he underwent full ordination on Saturday, May 21, 1938, at the ordination hall of Wat Hua Khao, with Phra Dhammathilokacharn (Yod) of Wat Khao Kaew as preceptor, Phra Khru Nipunthammathon of Wat Takhli as kammavachacharn, and Phra Khru Phiphatsilakun of Wat Hua Khao as anusavanacharn.

Luang Por Oad Panyatharo dedicated himself to studying Buddhist scripture, passing the highest level Nak Tham Ek examination from Wat Mahaphruttharam School in Bangkok in 1941. In administrative roles, he was appointed abbot of Wat Chan Sen in 1950, subdistrict ecclesiastic chief of Chan Sen in 1950, became a preceptor in 1953, deputy district ecclesiastic chief of Takhli in 1967, and district ecclesiastic chief of Takhli in 1973. In ecclesiastical ranks, he received the third-class royal title in 1957, second-class in 1967, first-class in 1977, and the special class title Phra Khru Nisai Charayakun in 1984.

In education, he taught Nak Tham at Wat Don in Yan Nawa District, Bangkok (when Phra Ajarn Keun was abbot), taught at Wat Hua Khao and Wat Nong Si Nuan in Takhli, served as dean of Wat Chan Sen's school, and served on the examination committee for the royal Dhamma examinations at Sanam Luang. He studied Buddhism under famous masters: Luang Por Rung of Wat Nong Si Nuan in Takhli, Luang Por Doem of Wat Nong Pho in Takhli, Luang Por Phrom of Wat Chong Khae in Takhli, and Luang Por Chen of Wat Sing in Inburi District, Sing Buri Province.

He also had close family ties with Luang Por Rung and Luang Por Doem, two renowned masters of Takhli District. His father, Mr. Chit Paento, was the biological younger brother of Luang Por Rung, and his mother was the aunt of Luang Por Doem. Thus Luang Por Oad called both masters "Luang Lung" (uncle). After returning from teaching at Wat Don Yan Nawa, he stayed with Luang Por Rung at Wat Nong Si Nuan, where he studied various sciences. Luang Por Doem visited Wat Nong Si Nuan regularly, and Luang Por Oad studied with him as well. Luang Por Oad also mentioned two other teachers: Luang Por Phrom of Wat Chong Khae, whom he visited regularly from around 1957 onward, and Luang Por Chen of Wat Sing in Tapya Subdistrict, Inburi District, Sing Buri Province, with whom he stayed to learn the art of making Takrut amulets.

Regarding Vipassana meditation, he was highly skilled in practice, learning from Luang Por Rung and later studying further at the Wat Mahathat Vipassana Center in Bangkok. Around 1957, he opened a Vipassana meditation center at Wat Chan Sen, teaching personally. He was a monk of great loving-kindness; one day he would sit receiving guests all day, offering good advice to anyone with troubles regardless of their social status. He passed away peacefully.