The Great Living Arahant Luang Phor Ganha

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Luang Phor Ganha was born on March 5, 1950 as the fourth of eight brothers and sisters in Warin Chamrap District in Ubon Rachatani, the northeastern part of Thailand. He was ordained on July 4th, 1970 at Wat Supadwanaram in Muang District, Ubon Rachatani. His Preceptor was Phra Ratcha Dhamasuthee. His Pali name “Sukhakāmo” means “pursuit for happiness”. His father was a farmer.

He was a relative of the world famous meditator Ajahn Chah and he learned under his uncle. He said that his parents would not allow him to leave home and become a monk, which was a big trouble for him.

Before he became a Buddhist he was a successful jockey for a professional horseback riding. He said that he was successful because he had no fear of wounds or even death. He also worked as a physician in a village, treating prostitutes.

He is of the same blood lineage as the famous mediation master Luang Pu Chah (usually known as Ajahn Chah to the foreign people). The latter accepted Luang Phor Ganha to practice under his guidance at Wat Pah Pong for 3 years. After that Luang Phor Ganha started the practice of “Tudong”, the traditional Buddhist wanderer's life. He wandered barefooted throughout Thailand as well as Burma, Lao, Cambodia and Malaysia. Before he stopped his wandering life in 2000, he had travelled over 60,000 km.

Ajahn Ganha is considered an Arahant (阿羅漢), meaning "enlightened man" or "perfected man who attained nirvana." Relatively in small physique Ven. Ajahn Ganha spends most time meditating peacefully in a Thai forest.

He has never owned any possesions since he became a monk.  He does not have a bank account in his own name, and consumes one meal per day. He does not read the newspapers, watch TV, or listen to the radio.  He does not have a cell phone, Internet access or any social media accounts. Frequently he goes on tudong on foot with scores of his followers in search of a ascetic life. All of his followers are all vegetarians, never touching caffeine.

In 2534 of the Buddhist calendar, Luangpor Ganha did not accept a title conferred by the Sangha Raja, and replied in a letter that he did not wish to have any title. 

Luang Por's disciples are spread across 30 monastery sub-divisions in Thailand and abroad.  Since Luangpor became a monk, the donations made to him by his followers have exceeded one billion baht. But he has never given any of it to his parents, relatives and friends. 

Instead, he gave back to society, building schools and hospitals, and by all means possible, did his best to benefit the public.  

The path of the Buddha that Luang Por has been was that of  giving and devotion, following the path of practice of Ajaan Mun, Ajaan Chah, Ajaan Mahaboowa, and Bhikku Buddhadasa.  Since Nibbana is devoid of self, he practiced only relinquishing and giving - the path taught by the Buddha.

Once meditating he never slept for three consecutive months, without losing control of his mind and body. He teaches his disciples how to maintain composure in the face of troubles.

Once Ven. Ajahn Ganha and his followers was walking in the jungle.

Suddenly he saw a huge King Cobra approachig toward him. The cobra was nearly touched his face.

Undaunted he petted the highly venomous snake on the head, and said "I am glad you came here to see me."

The Cobra lowered its head and disappeared into the jungle.

"Do not fret over anything, and do not blame anybody for anything," he teaches his followers. "Calm your mind and be happy!"

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Testimonial from his Luksit

"I had the opportunities to meet Ajahn Gunhah when he came to Perth, Western Australia, twice to stay at the Bodhinyana monastery, 60 km south of Perth. During the first visit, he stayed at the monastery for about a year, and I learnt a lot from him, from his experience in meditation.

One day, during his second visit, as part of my job I went to a large water supply dam located in a thick forest, near the monastery, for field inspection all alone by myself. When driving on a dirt track in the forest, I had a freak accident but somehow miraculously I escaped unscathed.

So, on the way back, I stopped by at the monastery, went into its main meditation hall, paid respect to the Buddha, sat in meditation for a while, and contemplated on that near-death experience.

When I came out from the hall, I met Ajahn Gunhah walking back to his hut. The monastery was located in a native bushland, and each monk had his own small hut for sleeping and meditating.

Ajahn Gunhah asked me to come with him to his hut. Once inside, he made himself a cup of hot and dark cocoa, and made me one also. According to the Vinaya, the monks are not allowed to drink milk after mid-day, but they can drink dark tea, dark coffee and the like. While I was sipping my hot cocoa, he looked at me, smiled, and gently said: "Life is short, isn't it ?" This caught me by surprise! How did he know what was in my mind at that time ? I had not told him anything about my day trip and certainly not about that accident!

To this day, I still don't know the answer. Perhaps it's just a casual remark from him and simply a coincident, or perhaps not so!"

Binh Anson

Perth, October 1996

Cr. Various sources, including The Seoul Times, Ted, Dhamma Piti Meditation Monastery etc.