"Luang Pu Sombun Paripunnasilo" or "Luang Pu Boon Suan Nibbana" passed away peacefully, the renowned monk of Wat Por Daeng (Wat Siri Aran Rukkawad), aged 91 with 55 years in monkhood.
On 21 May 2026, reporters reported that the people of Nakhon Ratchasima province faced a great loss to the monastic community and Buddhist devotees, as Luang Pu Sombun Paripunnasilo, a famous Vipassana meditation master and abbot of Wat Por Daeng (Wat Siri Aran Rukkawad) in Phu Luang Subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, known respectfully by disciples as "The Deity of Phu Luang Mountain," had passed away peacefully.
At present, Luang Pu Boon's body is preserved in the morgue at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, where disciples, monks, novices, and devotees who admire his conduct have gathered densely to pay their last respects and await his body for a final farewell.
Regarding the background of Luang Pu Sombun Paripunnasilo (Luang Pu Boon Suan Nibbana), he was born on 19 March 1935 to Mr. Lord and Mrs. Kham Ramking in Ban Por Daeng, Village No. 4, Phu Luang Subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
He was ordained on 27 March 1971 at Wat Ban Huai Sakae Rat, Sakae Rat Subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, with Phra Kru Sathorn Kanarak (Luang Pu Kon Jittasato) of Wat Ban Huai Sakae Rat as preceptor, Phra Kru Phisan Sukwat of Wat Sukwatthanaram as the chanting teacher, and Phra Kru Sutthisil Khun (Phra Kru Sutthisil Khun) of Wat Ban Huai Sakae Rat as the assistant teacher, living to 91 years and 55 years in monkhood.
After ordination, Luang Pu Boon diligently studied the Buddhist scriptures and teachings and further studied Vipassana meditation under Luang Pu Cha Suphattho of Wat Nong Pa Phong before undertaking forest monk ascetic practices in Buffalo Mountain, Laos. He then continued his ascetic travels throughout Thailand and even crossed into Myanmar.
He also diligently studied meditation and mystical arts from several senior masters, including Phra Phimontham (Luang Pho At Asako), Luang Pho Wichai Niramayophikku, Phra Maha Thanit Panyapasuto who initiated the reclusion practice at Wat Por Daeng, Luang Pho Tae Kong Thong from Nakhon Pathom Province, Luang Pho Phra Buddha Bat Tak Pha (a top disciple of Kruba Sriwichai), and Luang Pu Jantharopas of Wat Pa Khoi (a top disciple of Luang Pu Suk of Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao).
After practicing asceticism for 20 years, Luang Pu Sombun vowed to preserve Buddhism by developing and restoring the meditation training center into a complete temple known as Wat Siri Aran Rukkawad (Wat Por Daeng). Later, when Phra Maha Thanit passed away in 1990, Luang Pu Sombun left the forest behind the temple to continue the mission by establishing "Suan Nibbana" (Nirvana Garden). He invited faithful villagers to jointly purchase land behind Wat Por Daeng to create Suan Nibbana as a place for meditation practice and Vipassana training for monks and laypeople, continuing to the present.
His passing has caused deep sorrow among all his disciples. The schedule for moving his body and conducting the funeral rites will be announced later by Wat Por Daeng and the organizing committee.