Mun Bhuridatta

Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta Thera (Thai: มั่น ภูริทตฺโต, rtgs: Man Phurithatto; Lao: ຫຼວງປູ່ມັ່ນ ພູຣິທັຕໂຕ), 1870–1949, was a Thai bhikkhu of Lao descent who is credited, along with his mentor, Ajahn Sao Kantasīlo, with establishing the Thai Forest Tradition or "Kammaṭṭhāna tradition" that subsequently spread throughout Thailand and to several countries abroad.

Thai Forest Tradition
Ajahns
Dhammayuttika Nikaya Luang Pu Sao Kantasilo (1861–1941) Luang Por Mun Bhuridatto (1870–1949) Luang Ta Maha Bua Ñāṇasampaṇṇo (1913-2011) Ajahn Lee Dhammadaro (1907–1961) Luang Pu Waen Suciṇṇo (1887-1985) Luang Pu Thate Desaransi (1902–1994) Luang Pu Chanda Thawaro (1922-2012) Ajahn Suwat Suvaco (1919-2001) Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1949-) Maha Nikaya Luang Por Chah Subhatto (1918-1992) Luang Por Sumedho (1934-) Ajahn Khemadhammo (1944-) Ajahn Pasanno (1949-) Ajahn Brahm (1951-) Ajahn Amaro (1956-) Ajahn Sucitto (1949-) Ajahn Sundara (1946-) Ajahn Candasiri (1947-) Complete List
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Biography

Ajaan Mun was born in Baan Kham Bong, a farming village in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Isan.

Ordained as a monk in 1893, he spent the remainder of his life wandering through Thailand, Burma, and Laos, dwelling for the most part in the forest, engaged in the practice of meditation. He attracted an enormous following of students and, together with his teacher, Sao Kantasīlo (1861–1941), established the Thai Forest Tradition (the kammaṭṭhāna tradition) that subsequently spread throughout Thailand and to several countries abroad. He died at Wat Suddhavasa, Sakon Nakhon Province.

Forest meditation

Ajaan Mun's mode of practice was solitary and strict. He followed the vinaya (monastic discipline) faithfully, and also observed many of what are known as the 13 classic dhutanga (ascetic) practices, such as living off alms food, wearing robes made of cast-off rags, dwelling in the forest and eating only one meal a day. Monks following this tradition are known as thudong, the Thai pronunciation of this Pali word.

Searching out secluded places in the wilds of Thailand and Laos, he avoided the responsibilities of settled monastic life and spent long hours of the day and night in meditation. In spite of his reclusive nature, he attracted a large following of students willing to put up with the hardships of forest life in order to study with him.

Further reading

• The Customs of the Noble Ones by Thanissaro Bhikkhu describes the Thai forest tradition started by Ajaan Mun.
• Buswell, Robert Jr; Lopez, Donald S. Jr., eds. (2013). Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism (Ajahn Mun Bhūridatta). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 22. ISBN 9780691157863.