Phra Ajaan Keng Khemako Bhikkhu (lay name: Ong Kah Keng) was ordained on 29 July 2530 (1987), at Wat Asokaram, Samut Prakaan Province, Thailand. Phrakhru Sunthorn Dhammarangsee (Abbot of Wat Phayaprap, Phra Padaeng), was his Preceptor, Phrakhru Suvanna Dhammajoti (late Abbot of Wat Asokaram) was his Kammavācācariya, and Phrakhru Nanda Dhammakhun (Deputy Abbot of Wat Asokaram), his Anusāsanācariya.

Immediately after his ordination, he headed to Wat Dhammasathit, Rayong, Thailand to begin his monastic training under Phra Ajaan Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.

After the first three years of monastic and meditation training, he felt that he had gained enough spiritual strength and grounding in Dhamma-Vinaya and was ready to undertake the dhutanga practices (tudong) and to go on pilgrimage in the deep forests for even more intensive training in meditation. As he had often heard of the beauty and tranquility of the forests in the Kanchanaburi province from Phra Ajaan Ṭhānissaro, he decided to head to that location for his first tudong pilgrimage. He spent a very fulfilling and eventful period of intensive meditation, living in the open forest alongside Phra Ajaan Sathien Samācāro. This first tudong experience gave him the confidence and conviction that newly ordained monks should live in forested areas to develop their meditative skills.

As a result, he decided to spend time in the deep forests and mountains of Thailand, preferring the forest contemplative lifestyle of the forest monk to that of living in urban centers.

The intention to live the forest contemplative life saw him spending the next five years (from 1989) in the deep forests of Mae Sot and Chieng Mai, living on the kindness and support of the hill tribes. While he was residing in Mae Sot, he was under the tutelage of Phra Ajaan Den Nandiyo, another disciple of Than Phor Fuang and Luang Puu Jiak. Phra Ajaan Keng began studying under the tutelage of Luang Puu Jiak in 1988 – he first met Luang Puu Jiak on the occasion of the transfer of Than Phor Fuang’s body back to Wat Dhammasathit.

Phra Ajaan Keng was also trained to recite the Bhikkhu Pāṭimokkha (the Therevada monks’ 227 rules of conduct) by Luang Puu Oonla Ṭhitadhammo, Abbot of Wat Paa Kaew Chumpol, located in Tambon Kho Tai, Amphur Sawang Daen Din, Sakhon Nakhon Province. Luang Phuu Oonla is considered a specialist in the Pāṭimokkha recitation by his peers in the Forest Meditation Tradition. Pāṭimokkha recitation is an important monastic skill, as the reciter of the Pāṭimokkha has to be able to remember all 227 rules by heart and to adhere strictly to the procedures for doing so.

Phra Ajaan Keng subsequently went to live at Metta Forest Monastery, San Diego county, USA, on the invitation of Phra Ajaan Ṭhānissaro.

Wat Metta is located in the hills outside of San Diego county and was founded by Phra Ajaan Suwat Suvaco in 2533 (1990). Phra Ajaan Keng spent three Rains retreats in Wat Metta, assisting Phra Ajaan Ṭhānissaro in teaching the members of the growing Sangha and lay community.

Upon returning from the USA, Phra Ajaan Keng spent time in Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. With a growing following of monastic and lay supporters, he founded Santi Forest Monastery in the Ulu Tiram area of the State of Johor, Malaysia. While working on the project to set up Wat Santi, he continued to look for secluded forests in Thailand to continue his practice. This took him to a tribal village in Omkoi, in Chieng Mai Province. After four years in this area, he decided to help the villagers by setting up a monastery there. He named this monastery Wat Paa Doi Charoentam.

His intention in setting up a monastery in this primitive village was twofold: 1) to create a conducive environment for the training of monks in the forest contemplative tradition, and 2) to show gratitude and compassion for the villagers, giving them the opportunity to make merit for a better life here and hereafter. He considered the younger generation of monks not mentally tough enough, and because most of them used to live in city areas, as he had, they were not prepared for the harsh conditions of living in impoverished conditions. The villagers were mainly surviving on sticky rice and salt/chillies, so that was all that they could offer to the monks during their alms round. However, Phra Ajaan Keng felt very strongly, through his own experience, that practising under such conditions would create a strong foundation for the monks. The founding of the monastery in Omkoi helped not only the monks. The lay community from Singapore and Malaysia also benefitted from the exposure to the harsh conditions that the hill tribesmen had to live in. A member of the Management Committee of Wat Santi once visited Omkoi and commented that he realised how ‘rich’ he was, when compared to the poor the villagers. To Phra Ajaan Keng, such harsh conditions were the perfect places for developing the quality of khanti (patience/ endurance).

Although he kept to the forest contemplative lifestyle, preferring to dwell in forests and caves, Phra Ajaan Keng was still active in propagating the teachings and practice of Buddhism to the peoples of Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. He has acted as a mentor and guide to other monks from Singapore and Malaysia. Over the years, he has helped more than 150 men obtain ordination in the Thai Buddhist Sangha and is continuing to do so.

To give more Singaporeans and Malaysians the opportunity to obtain ordination and to enable the Sangha of Wat Santi to conduct their official duties in accordance with the DhammaVinaya, Phra Ajaan Keng established the ordination hall in Wat Santi, the first ordination hall of a Dhammayut monastery in both Singapore and Malaysia. The consecration of the hall was attended by 135 monks from both the Dhammayut and MahaNikaya sects of the Thai Buddhist tradition, along with more than 1,000 lay people from all three countries. Immediately after the consecration, 68 men were ordained as monks in the ordination hall. This is testimony of Phra Ajaan Keng’s sphere of influence and is indeed a first on all counts, in the history of Malaysia and Singapore.

In 2015, in order to celebrate Singapore’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, Phra Ajaan Keng organised a mass ordination of 58 men in Singapore. As there was no appropriate sīmā hall to ordain these individuals, a ‘water sīmā’ was used to conduct the ordination, with a rented yacht dedicated to the purpose. This was followed by nine days of monastic training for the newly ordained bhikkhus. Together with the lay community, the new monks participated in an overnight chanting of protective discourses on the eve (8th August 2015) of Singapore’s National Day. Phra Ajaan Keng also arranged for the minting and consecration of a special-edition amulet of the Buddha blessing the island of Singapore to commemorate this special occasion.

Phra Ajaan Keng’s compassion is not just towards those who are ordained or seeking ordination. He has also helped many individuals in facing the challenges of daily life.

One example is that of a lady named Patricia from Singapore. She had contracted cancer for about six years and although it was in remission, it returned to attack her in 1991. As she was a close friend of Sis. Wendy (Bro. Sebastian’s wife), Brother Sebastian advised Patricia to seek out Phra Ajaan Keng. Together with her brother, Kelvin, Patricia sought him out while he was residing near a hilltribe village called Huay Pla Lod, in Maesot, Thailand. He was on a retreat in an area called Saam Meung Thung, Doi Puu Kaa, which was a branch of Luang Phor Daen. When Patricia arrived at Luang Phor Den’s main monastery and told him of her purpose, Luang Phor Den sent a jeep with her brother Kelvin to fetch Phra Ajaan Keng. After meeting at Huay Pla Lod and being briefed on Patricia’s condition (terminal cancer), he decided to help her out of compassion. He encouraged her to constantly meditate to prepare for the final stage when she had to face death. Subsequently, a fellow monk of Phra Ajaan suggested that Patricia consult his uncle (who is also a monk), a reputable holistic medicine practitioner who has been treating cancer patients for a long period of time.

Together with his brother monk, Than Pok, and two other laymen (Mr Toi and Mr. Chumphon), Phra Ajaan took Patricia to Wat Khamyak, located at Tambon Khamyak, Amphoe Pho Thong, Ang Thong Province. Phra Ajaan attended to Patricia with the help of the local people for 45 days, until her death. After her death, he contacted Patricia’s family and made the necessary arrangements for her funeral.

Exhausted from the long stretch of having to attend to Patricia earlier and then to her funeral, Phra Ajaan decided to go into seclusion and stayed alone in the forest of Pang Ng at Tambon PaPae, Amphoe MaeTang, Chiengmai Province. One night, during this period of seclusion, while he was doing his walking meditation at about 2 a.m., a glow of light brightened up the forest near the end of his walking path. Phra Ajaan walked towards the light and discovered that it was Patricia. He was delighted to see her and quickly asked her what realm she was residing at. She told him that she was among a group of Dhamma emissaries and she came to thank Phra Ajaan for tending to her while she was sick. Because her friends were waiting for her, she had to leave. She vanished in an instant, and the whole forest was darkened again.

Her taking rebirth in the celestial realm may be partly attributable to the fact that she had a very compassionate heart for others. For example, even though she was suffering from cancer, she continued to volunteer her time to bring old folks (who had no family support) for their medical appointments and to help them communicate with doctors and nurses.

Even though Patricia was a total stranger, Phra Ajaan was willing to help her tackle her illness. Such indeed was the extent of his compassion for a fellow human being facing the last days of her life.

Somdet Phra Wanarat of Wat Bovornnives Vihāra, in Bangkok, commented to one of his lay supporters that Phra Ajaan Keng impressed him by the fact that he came from an urban and materially rich society yet was able to undertake severe ascetic practice, keeping strictly to the tradition of the forest masters. This is something that a majority of modern day monks find so challenging that many of them never even attempt it. The Somdet was also present at the ordination hall consecration ceremony and had confirmed for himself the extent to which Phra Ajaan Keng had motivated and aroused the faith of the laity.

In recognition of his contributions to the Sangha, the lay community, and his missionary work for the promotion of Buddhism, Phra Ajaan Keng was appointed a Thananukrom (Assistant) to Somdet Phra Wanarat of Wat Bovornnives, with the title of Phrakhru Phalad Samphiphathanasudhajaan Yanakosol Vimonseelajaan Mahakhanatikan Nayok Bidoethammarakkhit, on 17 September 2556 (2013), at Wat Bovornnives Vihara.

Later that year, on 5 December, Phra Ajaan Keng received the ecclesiatical title of “Chao Khun” from the King of Thailand and was given the name, “Vinayadhamma Vidhes.” This was further recognition of his deep devotion to the practice of the Buddhist path, his leadership of both ordained and lay members of the Buddhist community, expressed in his mentorship and support to his fellow monks and his propagation of Buddhism to the lay community as a whole.

Just over a year later, in 2558 (2015), Phra Ajaan Keng attended a training course for Preceptors (Upajjhāya), to gain the necessary skills and certifi cation to conduct Bhikkhu ordinations. With this certfication, Phra Ajaan has the authorisation of the Thai Sangha to ordain monks in the Southeast Asia region outside of Thailand.

In recent years, he has also been invited to many parts of Malaysia, China (Fujian Province), India (Andhra Pradesh and various cities in Indonesia (Jakarta, Medan, Pekan Baru) to teach the lay and ordained communities. There is a growing interest in the teachings of the Forest meditation tradition in these countries, and Phra Ajaan has been very motivated by their keen interest to study and practice the Dhamma.

Phra Ajaan has indeed been living for the welfare and benefit of devas and human beings, and it is our sincere wish that he enjoys good health and strength to carry on his Dhamma work for many more years to come.

Phra Ajaan Keng was given the ecclesiastical title of Chao Khun Vinayadhamma Vidhes on 5 December 2014 by the late King of Thailand. He is seen here receiving the rank fan from the then Prince of Thailand, and in the grounds of Wat Phra Keow after the ceremony – with his parents, his brother, sister-in-law and niece. 

在上座部佛教森林传承里，通达中英双语乃至福建、客家等方言的尊者并不多见。而在此基础上，兼通达经论与具足甚深禪定者，更可说是寥寥无及。在茫茫人海中，却有这么一位来自獅城的尊者，总集上述特点于一身，他就是——阿姜庆尊者。虽然阿姜庆尊者具有各种头衔和禪定能力，在外在的示现上他总是如此地谦虚低调、如此地脚踏实地。其言谈举止，宛如一位和蔼可亲、地地道道的獅城大叔。但实际上，尊者实是一位善行道者、正直行道者、正理行道者、和敬行道者，是此世间的无上福田。

由于戒行圆满且具足甚深三摩地，尊者深受人天人等此界他界众生拥护。大菩提萨埵——龙普托尊者，亦曾于尊者禪定中亲自来访。虽已年近岛国的退休年龄（62岁），庆尊者依然喜居深山丛林等偏僻寂静处修行，并与偏远地区的民族携手合作，为弘扬佛法、推动社会福利辛勤付出，可谓德佑一方。作为一个出生在“亚洲四小龙”里的发达国家——新加坡的男生，尊者为何会毅然决然地看破尘世、又为何会奋不顾身地前往森林传承道場出家修行呢？笔者试图通过整理与庆尊者的多次对话、尊者法谈，资料等诸多资源，为世人介绍这位人天师表的出家生涯与修行经历。

昭坤庆尊者，俗名王嘉庆，生于1963年5月13日。彼时的新加坡，依然是大英帝国下的殖民地。尊者年满十八后，按照国家法律规定服役两年。期间被选为特种兵，接受严格苛刻的军训。这为尊者多年后隐居森林奠定了良好基础。服役满期后，庆尊者在一家餐馆里打了一份意大利料理厨师的工作。

幸而，众生福德因緣与尊者波羅蜜的成熟，一次偶然的契机促使他卸下了这一份工作。既然祸福无定，又岂知祸非福？正逢韶华之时的他，忽因恶疾缠身，而被判下了医学上的死刑——仅剩下两年寿命。俗话说得好：“病急乱投医，逢庙便烧香”。走投无路的尊者遍寻了岛国大大小小的寺庙，以期获得神佛的相助，却终究无益于事。最终，他决定利用闲暇时间在新加坡巴里莱寺的一间房间里，埋头禪修。当他终于获得了三摩地以后，他深知佛法是无欺的皈依处。因此，出家自然便成为了顺理成章的道路。

王嘉庆于1987年7月29日正式在在泰国法众部森林派的阿育王寺受比丘戒出家，法号 Khemako比丘。戒场——阿育王寺是祖师阿姜曼建立的森林传承的第三代。受戒仪式中， Phrakhru Sunthorn Dhammarangsee尊者 (Wat Phayaprap寺住持,Phra Padaeng)担任授戒师 ，Phrakhru Suvanna Dhammajot尊者(已故阿育王寺住持) 担任羯磨师, Phrakhru Nanda Dhammakhun 尊者(阿育王寺副住持)担任教授师。

受戒圆满后，庆尊者前往位于Rayong的 Wat Dhammasathit寺依止美国坦尼沙罗尊者修学法 与律。修学期间，庆尊者曾多次听闻坦尼沙罗尊者盛赞泰国北碧优美寂静的森林，为修学禪定 的最胜上妙之处。依师学习三年后，打下了教法的坚定基础并获得了足够的精神资粮的庆尊者 决定前往深山丛林里修行头陀梵行。

在阿姜萨田尊者的陪伴下，庆尊者在茂密树林里进行了密集禪修。这一段充实的时光，无疑是 一段难以忘怀的经验。首次头陀行让庆尊者深信新出家为沙门者应常住森林以培养三摩地的力 量。因此，相对于繁华的城市，庆尊者更喜居泰国境内的深山丛林，做一个名副其实的森林传 承比丘。

1989年始，庆尊者在清迈、湄索等地的深山丛林里禪修，时长五年。期间的饮食起居，全仰 赖当地老百姓的恩惠以存活命。1993年，庆尊者与此时正在一路北上修行头陀的隆达玛尊者 （大菩提萨埵隆普多的首座弟子）在Tham Muang Na的修行山洞里不期而遇。笔者私下与隆 都玛尊者交谈时，尊者仍然对当年头陀行暂居山洞的行者记忆犹新。

当庆尊者居住在湄索时，他依止了阿姜登 （龙普迦与阿姜放的弟子）。随后在1988年，阿姜 放的法体运回Wat Dhammasathit寺时，庆尊者逢遇并依止龙普迦。在龙普Oonla Thitadhammo尊者座下，尊者学习背诵比丘二百二十七条戒律。在森林传承里，Wat Paa Kaew Chumpol寺的龙普Oonla被认为是律仪背诵方面的专家。律仪背诵是欲行持解脱道者需 要学习的重要技能。如果能将二百二十七条戒律倒背如流，就有助于行者謹慎言行，成就清静 身语意三门。

应美国坦尼沙罗尊者之请，庆尊者前往美國加利福尼亞州圣迭戈（英語：San Diego）慈心森 林寺（ Metta Forest Monastery）。庆尊者在此地度過了三次的结夏安居，协助美国坦尼沙罗 尊者弘法布教，利益僧俗二众。从美国归来后，庆尊者在新、马、泰等地四处云游。由于僧俗 二众的追随者与日增多，庆尊者在马来西亚启建了宁心寺。与此同时，尊者继续在泰国境内寻 找适宜修行的深山丛林以提升精神法道上的修持。正所谓：“法不孤起，仗境方生。道不虚行 ，遇缘即应。”庆尊者来到清迈府的翁桂，并在此居留四年。期间，他决定帮助当地村名起建 寺庙，并赐名Wat Paa Doi Charoentam。

庆尊者在此偏僻之地兴建寺庙的原因有二：其一，为森林传承的比丘提供优良的修行场所。其 二，为了向当地的村民表示感恩之情，以大悲心给予他们培养今世来世福报的因緣。庆尊者认 为年轻一代的僧人（如当年尊者一般）在心理上不具备足够的坚韧不拔的精神。由于他们从小 便在城市里长大，他们并不具备应付贫困生活情况的条件。而此地的村民则依靠白米饭、盐与 干辣椒活命。僧众乞食的时候，也只能得到这些物资。

唐·黄蘖禅师《上堂开示颂》云：“不经一番寒彻骨 焉得梅花扑鼻香”。同理，庆尊者认为：唯 有在这种艰难的环境下修行，才能够为僧众奠定良好的修行基础。对此，庆尊者深有感触。在 翁桂建寺之举，惠及了当地人民、比丘僧众。当宁心寺的管理团队成员来到此地时，才感叹道 ：“与他们相比，我们可以说是福甲一方了！”但对庆尊者而言，这种艰苦的环境恰恰是培养忍 辱波羅蜜的最佳修行环境。

为庆祝新加坡建国50周年，庆尊者为58名男子剃度受戒。由于缺乏合格的戒堂来举办出家受戒的仪式，尊者采用了租船建立“水上戒堂”的方式。此后九天，他们遵照出家人的生活作息，九日里修持清静梵行。2015年8月8日，亦即国庆前夕，僧众一起通宵念诵《护卫经》，以祈国泰民安、风调雨顺。庆尊者也安排制造、加持一批佛牌，象征佛陀的甘露之雨加持岛国，以作纪念。

尽管庆尊者严格遵照传统的“林居”修行传承，但他依然秉持“自利利他”的精神，积极地在新、 马、泰等地弘扬教法，为新马僧侶提供修行指导。截至目前，庆尊者座下出家的比丘已多达 150人。为了给予新马弟子们获得出家律仪的机会，并护持宁心寺僧众按照律仪修行，庆尊者 在宁心寺建立了上座部佛教法宗派在新马地区的首座戒堂。开光胜住法会由上座部佛教法宗派 与大宗派的135位比丘共同见证，来自三个国家的千余名信众随喜参与。法会结束之后，68位 发心出家者剃度受戒。这无疑是新马佛教圈里的一大盛事！

庆尊者不仅慈悲摄受许多发心出家者，同时也帮助了许多人度過了生命中的困难与荆棘。有一 位名为Patricia的新加坡人患上癌症已长达6年。虽然病情稍有好转，但在1991年又再次复 发。由于她与Wendy贤友（Sebastian师兄之妻）的关系良好，Sebastian师兄建议Patricia去 寻求庆尊者的援助。Patricia与其兄长Kelvin，一同来到泰国的湄索去拜访正在森林里实修的 庆尊者。此处名为Saam Meung Thung, Doi Puu Kaa, 是龙普Den寺庙的分支。

当Patricia 来到龙普Den的寺庙时，她向龙普 Den说明来意。龙普Den二话不说，便派人带兄 妹二人去请庆尊者。当尊者被告知Patricia的病况时，他慈悲地答允帮助她。, 庆尊者鼓励 Patricia不断地打坐，为死亡做好准备。随后，庆尊者的同修道友建议Patricia寻求其叔（一位 精通医药、长期为患上癌症的病人提供治疗的比丘）。因此，庆尊者便与Patricia及一位比丘 和兩名善信一起前往昂通地区。在Patricia去世前的45天里，庆尊者与当地村民共同帮助 Patricia度过了弥留之际的岁月。Patricia去世之后，庆尊者联络了Patricia的家人并安排了葬礼 的相关事宜。

因照顾Patricia及安排后事而身心疲惫的庆尊者决定前往清迈的森林里独自打坐修行。一晚， 在大约半夜2点钟的时候，正在经行的庆尊者见到乌黑的森林里突然出现了光明。庆尊者向光 明走去，赫然发现原来是刚刚去世的Patricia前来拜访。见到Patricia时，尊者感到极为欣喜， 并赶紧问她已投生到何处？Patricia回答说自己已经成为修行的天人，此次前来是為了感恩庆 尊者在她生病时所提供的帮助。然而，由于其他的天人众正在等她，所以她必须要离开。刹那 间，光明消失了，而整个森林再次变得漆黑一片。

细探Patricia投生天界之事，可以往前追究到她一向心善仁慈的性格。虽然她身患绝症，但她 依然风雨不改地为孤独独居老人做义工、陪伴他们，为他们安排身体检查以及协助他们与医 生、护士沟通。而尽管Patricia与庆尊者此前从未见面，但尊者以慈悲心帮助她脱离病苦，获 得良好的投生。

Wat Bovornnives Vihāra寺的僧王Somdet Phra Wanarat 曾經称赞庆尊者虽然出生于一个富裕 的现代化城市，却能够严谨地遵循森林传承的修行方式，确实是难能可贵！对于许多现今时代 的出家人而言，这样艰苦的修行方式已经让他们望之怯步。僧王也亲自出席了戒堂的开光胜住 仪式，并肯定了庆尊者的修行成果。

为了表扬庆尊者对比丘僧众及在家信众的突出贡献，庆尊者于2013年9月17日（佛历2556 年）被选为僧王的侍从Thananukrom，并受封号Phrakhru Phalad Samphiphathanasudhajaan Yanakosol Vimonseelajaan Mahakhanatikan Nayok Bidoethammarakkhit。2013年12月5日，庆尊者又受泰国皇室封为“昭坤”，以进一步表彰尊者 对佛教及社会事业的无限付出。佛历2558年（2015），庆尊者参与了授戒师的训练，以此获 得为僧众剃度传戒的资格。近年以来，尊者到访了中国大陆福建省、印度、马来西亚等地，利 益了各个地方的僧俗二众。由此可见，庆尊者确实是世間大良福田，是一切人天众生的皈依处与依怙！