Buddhists from all directions poured in to join the grand merit-making ceremony celebrating the 82nd birthday of Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto, along with donations of an emergency ambulance, ambulance stretchers, and scholarships to schools in the area.
On 14 October 2026 at Wat Suan Tham Piti (Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto Dharma Park) in Chiang Khrua Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kalasin Province, a ceremony was held to honor Phra Thep Watcharathammasopon (Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto), advisor to the 9th Ecclesiastical Region (Dhammayutika Nikaya) and abbot of Wat Suan Tham Piti, on his 82nd birthday.
Senior monks participated, including Somdet Phra Theerayan Muni, Somdet Phra Ratchakakhana of the Dhammayutika Nikaya, Somdet Thongchai, Supreme Patriarch of the Central Region and member of the Sangha Supreme Council, Phra Phrom Wachirasopon, advisor to the 10th Ecclesiastical Region (Dhammayutika Nikaya), Phra Tham Wachirinivit, advisor to the 9th Ecclesiastical Region and abbot of Wat Prachaniyom Royal Monastery, and other well-known monks in the Northeast such as Phra Thep Wachirayan Sunthon, abbot of Wat Buddhavanaram (Wat Pa Wang Nam Yen), and Phra Raj Watcharawitthayakhom, abbot of Wat Tha Sabaeng. The event was chaired by Mr. Suwan Khemthanaphet, Governor of Kalasin Province, with Deputy Governor Thaphatrada Thaninjirannon, Police Major General Songpol Boribanprasit, and many government officials, private sector representatives, and Buddhists attending the ceremony.
Upon the arrival of the ceremony’s chairman, incense and candles were lit to pay homage to the Triple Gem. Incense and candle offerings and cone-shaped flower arrangements were presented before the royal portrait of His Majesty the King, followed by offerings before the portrait of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. Lotus flower trays and monk robes were offered in homage to Phra Thep Watcharathammasopon (Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto) according to ceremonial order.
Next, Phra Thep Watcharathammasopon (Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto) and the monks chanted the auspicious mantra. Then, the chairman and government officials collectively offered Thai offerings, paid respects to the Triple Gem at the altar, paid respects before the royal portrait of His Majesty the King, paid respects before the portrait of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, and respectfully bade farewell to Phra Thep Watcharathammasopon, concluding the monastic ceremony.
After the offering of the alms meal, a ritual was held to consecrate and cast the Buddha statue for the main stupa, the Great Stupa of the Buddha’s Six Rays, presided over by Mr. Suwan Khemthanaphet. Mr. Pun and Mrs. Suthanya Boonsung, owners of Tri Petch Isuzu, were the main sponsors of this consecration and casting ceremony.
Following this, Phra Thep Watcharathammasopon (Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto), advisor to the 9th Ecclesiastical Region (Dhammayutika Nikaya) and abbot of Wat Suan Tham Piti, donated one emergency ambulance to Kalasin Hospital and 33 ambulance stretchers to Mr. Thai Ekphan Banluerit, an actor and volunteer with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, for use in saving lives. Scholarships were also awarded to five schools under Chiang Khrua Subdistrict.
On this auspicious day, 3,000 wristbands were distributed to Buddhists attending the event, who also received 3,000 bags of rice.
Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto, also known as Phra Kru Palat Wachirasopon Yan, is a renowned northeastern Thai monk famed for his spiritual powers, wisdom, and virtuous conduct. He is deeply revered for his steadfast discipline and great compassion.
Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto was born Sila Nilchan on 14 October 1945, on the 8th waxing day of the 11th lunar month in the year of the Rooster. He is the son of Mr. Kaen and Mrs. Noi Nilchan. He was ordained as a novice at age 15 at Wat That Phat and fully ordained in 1966 at Wat Burapha Phiram in Roi Et Province by Phra Siriwutthimethee, then the abbot of Roi Et Province. Luang Pu Sila diligently studied Buddhist scriptures, achieving advanced levels in the Dhamma studies and receiving the sixth-level Pali scripture certification from His Majesty King Rama IX in 1972 at Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. He served as a Dhamma teacher at Wat Nikom Khanaram School in Roi Et and as the officiant chanting the Patimokkha during monastic ordination ceremonies.
After mastering Buddhist studies, Luang Pu Sila traveled on pilgrimage and lived in solitude in several provinces such as Udon Thani, Nong Khai, and Chaiyaphum. In 1974, he undertook forest meditation asceticism in mountainous areas of Sangkhom District, Nong Khai Province, and at Buffalo Mountain in Laos. He traveled with Luang Pho Ban Chat of Wat Ban Chat, Roi Et (now deceased), and met many revered teachers including Luang Pu Thongma Thawaro, Luang Pu Maha Boonmee Sirintharo, and Luang Pu Lee Kusoltharo.
He was also a spiritual peer with many teachers such as Luang Pho Saman Thamrakkhito, Luang Pu Noo Intawanno, Luang Pu Somsit Rakkhaseelo, Luang Pu Lom Silasangwaro, and Luang Pu Wern Khunesko.
Luang Pu Sila studied Vipassana meditation and the Lao Buddhist script, reading Isan palm leaf manuscripts fluently. He also studied numerous palm leaf scriptures from the Somdet Lun lineage in Laos, mastering them thoroughly.
Since 2007, Luang Pu Sila has lived in seclusion at various abandoned cemeteries until the respected abbot of Wat Pho Si Sa-at invited him to reside at the temple. Luang Pu Prasong planned to live in retreat at Ban Kaepe Forest Monastery, so devotees built a monk’s dwelling for Luang Pu Sila, where he has resided since. Phra Thammarat Dilok, abbot of Wat Suthat Thepwararam, reveres him greatly and invited him to participate in the Buddhist consecration of the Suthat Buddha amulets. Many temples in the Northeast regularly invite Luang Pu Sila to perform protective rituals because his disciples have witnessed his spiritual powers, disciplined conduct, compassion, humility, and his remarkable ability to foresee future events.