Biography "Luang Pu Sombun Paripunnasilo" A renowned Vipassana meditation master and abbot of Wat Po Daeng, who passed away peacefully.
On 21 May 2026, Luang Pu Sombun Paripunnasilo, a well-known Vipassana meditation master and abbot of Wat Po Daeng (Wat Siri Aran Rukkha Was) in Phu Luang Subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, respectfully known among disciples as the "God of Phu Luang Mountain," passed away peacefully.
Luang Pu Sombun Paripunnasilo (also known as Luang Pu Boon Suan Nibbana) was born on 19 March 1935, the son of Mr. Lhod and Mrs. Kham Ramking, in Ban Po Daeng, Village No. 4, Phu Luang Subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He was ordained on 27 March 1971 at the boundary of Wat Ban Huai Saka Rat in Sak Rat Subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. His preceptor was Phra Kru Sathorn Kanarak (Luang Pu Kon Jittasato) of Wat Ban Huai Saka Rat; Phra Kru Phisan Sukwat of Wat Sukwatthanaram was the disciplinarian; and Phra Kru Sutthisilakhun (or Phra Kru Sutthisilakhun) of Wat Ban Huai Saka Rat was the sermon instructor. He lived to be 88 years old with 52 years as a monk.
After ordination, Luang Pu Boon devoted himself seriously to studying the Dhamma Vinaya and Buddhist scriptures. He further studied Vipassana meditation under Luang Pu Cha Supatto of Wat Nong Pah Pong before undertaking ascetic journeys (thudong) to Phu Khwai in Laos, then continuing throughout all regions of Thailand and even crossing into Myanmar.
Additionally, he diligently studied meditation practice and mystical arts from several senior teachers, including Phra Phimontham (Luang Pho At Asako), Luang Pho Wichai Niranyo Bhikkhu, Phra Maha Thanit Panyapasuto, who initiated forest retreat practices at Wat Po Daeng; Luang Pho Tae Khong Thong of Nakhon Pathom; Luang Pho Phra Buddha Bat Tak Pha (a chief disciple of Kruba Sriwichai); and Luang Pu Jantharopas of Wat Pa Khoi (a chief disciple of Luang Pu Suk of Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao).
After practicing thudong asceticism for 20 years, Luang Pu Sombun vowed to preserve Buddhism by developing and renovating the meditation training center into a complete monastery, Wat Siri Aran Rukkha Was (Wat Po Daeng). Later, in 1990, after the passing of Phra Maha Thanit, Luang Pu Sombun left the forest behind the temple to continue this mission. He conceived and established the Nirvana Garden and invited local devotees to jointly purchase land behind Wat Po Daeng to build the Nirvana Garden. This place serves as a meditation and Vipassana practice center for monks and laypeople continuously to the present.
His passing has brought deep sorrow to disciples from all groups. Details of moving his remains and conducting funeral rites will be announced by Wat Po Daeng and the organizing committee in due course.