Venerable Thepyanamuni, Former Abbot of Chong Lom Temple, Remembered

On Saturday, August 22, 2026, the 22nd anniversary of the passing of Venerable Thepyanamuni (Pradet Kaweethro), former abbot of Chong Lom Royal Temple in Muang District, Ratchaburi Province and former advisor to the Ratchaburi Provincial Sangha Council, is commemorated. He was a respected senior Buddhist monk recognized for his exceptional spiritual leadership and tireless dedication to public health and community welfare services, earning devotion and reverence over many decades.

He was born into the Kalyaharth family on May 31, 1920, in Moo 5, Ban Chong Subdistrict, Phnom Sarakham District, Chachoengsao Province, to parents Pang and Bang Kalyaharth. After completing fourth-grade primary education at his local village school, his family inquired about his ordination, and he joyfully accepted, having long harbored a sincere devotion to Buddhism.

He was ordained on December 20, 1935, at Tha Kwian Temple in Phnom Sarakham District, with Venerable Khru Vimlyanasunthon of Maha Chedi Temple serving as his preceptor. At age 20, he received full monastic ordination on May 9, 1940, at Tha Kwian Temple, with Venerable Wisutthisophon of Maha Phratuckharam Temple in Bangkok as his preceptor, Venerable Khru Vimlyanasutnthon as his instructor in precepts, and Venerable Khru Adulyasaramuny of Tha Kwian Temple as his instructor in training. He received the monastic name Kaweethro.

He completed advanced Dhamma studies at Sarakhet Temple and passed the Pali examination in six passages. His evident contributions earned the trust of Ratchaburi's monastic community, leading to his appointment as a preceptor. In 1966, he became the provincial sangha officer for Muang District, in 1974 the provincial sangha officer for Ratchaburi Province, and abbot of Chong Lom Royal Temple, later serving as advisor to the Ratchaburi Provincial Sangha Council.

In education, he served as a royal Pali examination committee member and the Ratchaburi Provincial Buddhist Education Committee member until his passing. He was instrumental in revitalizing Pali studies at Chong Lom Temple's school, establishing the Kaweethro Foundation to support education and providing scholarships for students and young monks. In public outreach, he headed the Ratchaburi Dhamma missionary program, organizing 88 township community education units throughout the province. In welfare work, he constructed numerous buildings and facilities within temples, donated medical equipment to Ratchaburi Central Hospital, and distributed aid to the poor. He was also an accomplished speaker and scholar, producing several academic works.

He devoted his entire life to serving Buddhism with unwavering dedication, collaborating with both monastic communities and other sectors whenever called upon. He received numerous rank promotions, becoming Phra Kru in 1954, Phra Rajkhanachayan Third Rank in 1957, Phra Rajkhanachayan First Rank in 1981, and Phra Thepyanamuni of the Divine Rank in 1996.