Revered Buddhist Monk Luang Pu Phol Remembered 35 Years After Death

Thursday, July 9, 2025 commemorates the 35th anniversary of the death of Phra Kru Atthanyanansopon, also known as Luang Pu Phol Yanajari of Wat Nong Bua Noi in Kham Rian Subdistrict, Phayakkhaphumi District, Maha Sarakham Province, a renowned Buddhist elder of Sarakham. He was a Dhamma successor of the famous northeastern monk Luang Pu Sathoo Sukhdhamma of Wat Ban Lao. Originally named Phol Phan Phayak, he was born on October 12, 1920, at Nong Bua Noi in Kham Rian Subdistrict, Phayakkhaphumi District, Maha Sarakham Province. In his youth, he completed fourth-grade education at Ban Nong Kaew School but had to help his family with farming and raising siblings. When Luang Pu Sathoo became renowned, Phol learned of his reputation and developed strong faith in his practice, asking his parents to take him to ordain under Luang Pu Sathoo at Wat Ban Lao. He served closely and studied the monastic curriculum, with his teacher generously transmitting all knowledge to him. He served as the last senior disciple of Luang Pu Sathoo until 1940, when he respectfully departed to reside at his home temple, Wat Nong Bua Noi.

He later underwent higher ordination at Wat Rasat Charoen in Ban Mabo, Kham Rian Subdistrict, with Phra Kru Chantharasat as his preceptor, Phra Kru Bunyamanit as his instructor, and Phra Atkarn Phuang as his witness. After ordination, his relatives invited him to reside at Wat Nong Nai for six rain retreats. From 1946 onwards, locals of Nong Bua Noi invited him to reside at their temple. His practice was well-known; each year after the rainy season, he would undertake forest wandering in many mountains and jungles, sometimes traveling to Laos and Cambodia. As a strict observer of Dhamma and Vinaya, he was revered as an accomplished meditation master worthy of devotion. Daily, devotees from all directions traveled to pay respects, receive blessed water with Buddhist incantations, sacred amulets, and blessed coins bearing his image. Donations were used to develop the temple, building assembly halls, Dhamma halls, and glass walls. He also emphasized education, establishing a Dhamma and Pali school and donated meals to local schools. In 1957, he was appointed abbot of Wat Nong Bua Noi and presiding elder of various subdistrict councils. In 1974, he was appointed preceptor. In 1977, he received the ecclesiastical rank of Phra Kru Tri (Third Class), receiving the title Phra Kru Atthanyanansopon. In 1986, he was promoted to Phra Kru Tho (Second Class). His teaching emphasized simple virtues: "Do good, refrain from evil, and life will bring only good things." Due to the impermanence of all conditioned things, he passed away peacefully from old age on July 9, 2534 (1991), at the age of 71 and after 53 rain retreats.