Revered Buddhist Abbot Luang Por Nrong of Wat Phu Khao Passes Away
Luang Por Nrong Chayamongkol, the respected abbot of Wat Putthanimit in Kalasin Province who spent 38 years building it into a significant Buddhist sanctuary, died peacefully at age 71 on August 7, 2026. Devotees gathered at the temple to p
Disciples and students mourned the passing of Luang Por Nrong Chayamongkol, the respected abbot of Wat Putthanimit (Phu Khao) in Kalasin Province, who died peacefully at age 71 after 38 years of monastic life on August 7, 2026. Many devotees arrived at Wat Putthanimit in Nong Seenuan, Sahasaksant District, to pay respects to the accomplished practitioner and commemorate his contributions to establishing the temple as a significant Buddhist sanctuary in Kalasin Province.
At 2:30 p.m., Phra Thammawitchiniwid, advisor to the Sangha Regional Council 9 and abbot of Wat Prachaniyom, presided over the funeral procession of Luang Por Nrong Chayamongkol, with monks and followers in attendance to honor the late abbot through the ceremonial movement of his remains and the final bathing rite.
Luang Por Nrong Chayamongkol was a dedicated practitioner of the Dhammayuttika sect with no formal ecclesiastical rank, known for his strict observance of discipline and mastery of vipassana meditation. He earned acclaim for building Wat Putthanimit as a sanctuary of religious and architectural beauty, including the preservation of the 2,000-year-old Phra Phuthai Sai Asan (reclining Buddha) statue, an important historical monument of Kalasin Province. He also oversaw the construction of a beautiful wooden ordination hall, a grand dharma hall stupa, and a courtyard depicting the Buddha's four postures, all of which have attracted numerous Buddhist devotees to the temple. Luang Por Nrong had resided and presided over Wat Putthanimit since 2528 B.E. (1985), when he transferred to the Dhammayuttika order under the guidance of Phra Thammawitchiniwid.
