Revered Isan Monk Luang Pu Sila Celebrates 82nd Birthday
The user wants a short summary of the article about Luang Pu Sila's 82nd birthday celebration. Let me extract the key points: 1. Event: 82nd birthday merit-making ceremony for Luang Pu Maha Sila Sirichantho (Luang Pu Sila) 2. Date: October
Every October 14 marks an auspicious day when close disciples and devoted relatives gather to hold a merit-making ceremony celebrating the blessed birthday of Luang Pu Maha Sila Sirichantho, also known as Phra Thepwacharantham Sophon, a revered meditation master of the Northeast. He currently serves as advisor to the Region 9 (D) Ecclesiastical Chief, advisor to the Sangha of Wat Phra That Mueang Hin in Khao Wong district, Kalasin, and abbot of Wat Suan Tham Phet in Chiang Khrueng subdistrict, Mueang district, Kalasin.
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the temple committee joined with faithful disciples to organize a merit-making ceremony honoring Luang Pu's 82nd birthday at Wat Suan Tham Phet. The event drew large crowds of relatives, government officials, merchants, locals, and monks. The ecclesiastical ceremony was presided over by Somdet Phra Thirayanmuni (Somchai Warachayo), a member of the Supreme Sangha Council and abbot of Wat Thep Sirintrawat, while the lay ceremony was led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Thian Thepanan, Deputy Chief of the Administrative Division of the Royal Household Bureau. Other dignitaries included Kalasin Governor Suwat Khemtham and Lieutenant General Wirayut Raksilp, Commander of the 2nd Army Region.
The morning ceremony began with Luang Pu Sila presiding over alms-offering to 19 monks, followed by a blessing ceremony for his 82nd birthday. The lay president lit candles and incense to worship the Triple Gem, paid homage to His Majesty the King, and 10 monks chanted blessings. After the chanting, Luang Pu Sila poured molten metal to cast a Buddha image for the Phra Maha Chedi Phutthachapparangsri, and also presided over the donation of an ambulance to Kalasin Hospital.
Born Sila Nilchanth on October 14, 1945, in Thawat Buri district, Roi Et province, he was ordained in 1966 at Wat Buraphaphiram in Roi Et with Phra Sirivuthimethi, then provincial ecclesiastical chief, as preceptor. He studied Dhamma, passing the third, second, and first levels of Nak Tham examinations, and earned the sixth-grade Parien Tham certificate. Beyond scriptural mastery, he practiced meditation, undertook forest pilgrimages across many provinces, and in 1974 walked across the Mekong River to Phu Khao Kwai in Laos, meeting renowned Isan masters such as Luang Pu Thongma Thavaro, Luang Pu Maha Bunnheem Sirintharo, and Luang Pu Lee Kusalatharo.
He also studied Vipassana Kammathana, Lao Dhamma scripts, and Isan palm-leaf manuscripts, mastering the complete Tripitaka on palm leaf under famous Lao meditation masters. Around 1982, he observed the rains retreat at Wat Santi Vihara in Thawat Buri, Roi Et, alongside Luang Pu Soman Thammarakkhito, developing the temple into a flourishing center. Due to his pure, simple, and honest nature, he later practiced solitary meditation at Tham Ban Don Duea in Thawat Buri, Roi Et.
In 1996, he moved to observe the rains retreat at Wat That Prathap in Roi Et. Recognized for his exemplary conduct and wisdom, he was invited to participate in Buddha image consecrations throughout the Northeast and at national events, such as the Phra Kring consecration at Wat Sutthas. Admired for his purity, he undertook forest retreats in quiet mountain forests like Pa Phu Khieo in Chaiyaphum and Pa Cha in Phu Wiang district, Khon Kaen. In 2017, he became abbot of Wat Pho Si Sa-at in Ban Kapae, Chiang Khrueng subdistrict, Mueang district...
