Ajahn Buddhadasa Bikkhu

Travelers making regular visits to wats, especially in Southern Thailand, will notice the numerous framed photographs of the round bespectacled face of Ajahn Buddhadasa Bikkhu, the founder of Wat Suan Mokkha Phalaram. A revered Buddhist monk, Buddhadasa was also well-known social activist.

After entering the monkhood in 1926, Buddhadasa went to Bangkok to study Buddhism, but was distracted by the corruption there. In 1932 Buddhadasa returned to his home province of Chaiya and founded Wat Suan Mok, an enormous forest wat with meditation spots at every corner. 

His belief in one religion—that all religions are part of one dharma—garnered him many supporters. But his critiques on capitalism and materialism—and his association with such figures as Pridi Phanomyong, the left-leaning leader of the People’s Party made him more than just a reformer of Buddhism in the eyes of the government. In the 1970s, Buddhadasa was branded a communist, was nearly forced to leave the brotherhood. 

Buddhadasa passed away in 1993,and his ashes were buried at Wat Suan Mok. To gain greater insight into his teachings, join a 10-day meditation retreat at Wat Suan Mok, north of Surat Thani in Chaiya Province.