A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF PHRAÑĀṆASIDHACĀN
(LUANG POO SIM BUDDHACĀRO)
The late Venerable Phrañāṇasidhacān is foundly known and revered throughout the country as Luang Poo Sim, or simply ‘Luang Poo’, which refers to an elderly and highly respected person in monkshood.
Luang Poo Sim was born on November 26, 19909, to a humble peasant family of Baan Bua, Sawang Subdistrict, Pannanikom District, Sakhon Nakhon Province, as one of the seven children of Nai Saan and Nang Singkhum. Both of his parents were known to have been dedicated and supporting of the local monastery. At the age of 17, Luang Poo Sim entered the monkshood by taking a novice ordainment at Wat Rattanaraam (Rattanaraam Temple), Ban Bua, and shortly afterwords he became a disciple of the great Ajahn Mun Booridhatto (a venerable monk in Dhammañuta: one of the two denominations in Thailand, originated by King Mongkut) at Saam Vong Village, Sri Song Kram District, Nakhon Phanom Province.
At the age of 20, he was fully ordained as a monk at Wat Sri Candravāsa, Khon Khaen Province. Phra Kroo Pisaan Arañaket was the monk who officiated at his ordainment ceremony and Phra Ajahn Singh Khandhañākamo was his main Preceptor. ‘Buddhacāro’ was his given name as a monk.
After he became a monk in the early dry seasons, Luang Poo adopted Dhutaṅgavatra, the custom of wandering in solitude through the forest wilderness, staying in caves and practicing the Dhamma with piety. He came to Chiang Mai in 1940 and buit Wat Santidhamma in 1949. In later years, he was recognized as the abbot of numerous monasteries in various parts of the country. In 1959, he was given ecclesiastical title of Phra Khroo Santivarañāṇa.
At the end of the Buddhist Lent in 1960, he had been travelling to find a place for his solitary pray and fortunately, he found Pah Plong Cave, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai, which seems to be a proper place for the solitary pray. in 1967, he established a monastery in these remote mountains that has remained his residence until the last day of his life.
His service to Buddhism can be seen from his regular routine: 03:00 a.m. Wake up, Pray to the Buddha, Present a sermon. 06:00 a.m. Go about with a bowl to receive food, the Buddhist way of monks. O7:00 p.m. Pray and perform the meditation. He also delivered public sermons and devoted his time and effort almost exclusively to teaching on Dramma (the Lord Buddha’s teachings) for the whole of his life.
Because of hus devotion to Buddhism and his own virtue, His Majesty the King Bhumibol granted him his higher prist’s honor ‘Phra Ñāṇasidhacan’ on August 12, 1992.
He passed away peacefully on August 14, 1992, at the age of 83 with 63 years in monkshood. His Majesty the King Bhumibol and Her Majesty the Queen Sirikitti presided over his funeral ceremony, which was also attended by people from all walks of life, government officials, merchants, people and his disciples from all over the country.
Although he has been dead for years, his virtue is still in people’s memories and his teachings live on, manifesting the righteous truth of life.
(Source: a placard at Wat Tham Pha Plong)
Swabhava 