Luang Pu Phaew Pavaro, the enlightened monk and deity of Kamphaeng Saen.
Phra Ratchamongkol Wachirakom, formerly known as Luang Pu Phaew Pavaro, is 103 years old and has been ordained for 82 years.
He resides at Wat Pracharat Bamrung, Tambon Rang Phikun, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom Province. His full name is Phaew Bunwattana.
He was born on the 14th waning moon of the 11th month of the Year of the Pig, corresponding to Wednesday, November 7, 1923. His family originated from Nong Muang village, Tambon Tao It, Amphoe Bang Phae, Ratchaburi Province. His father was Mr. Phan Bunwattana and his mother was Mrs. Chui Bunwattana. He had four siblings, with Luang Pu Phaew being the eldest:
1. Luang Pu Phaew Pavaro
2. Mr. Lek Bunwattana
3. Mr. Chai Bunwattana
4. Mr. Prasert Bunwattana
Around 1925, Luang Pu and his family moved to Lak Met village, Tambon Thung Khwang, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom Province. When he was 8 years old, his father took him to be a disciple at Wat Nong Muang, Tambon Tao It, Amphoe Bang Phae, Ratchaburi Province. To receive an education from monks, as in those days schools were located in temples with monks as teachers, Luang Pu was under the care of Luang Pho Hong, the abbot of Wat Nong Muang. He studied until the third grade of primary school, but dropped out in 1936 because his parents wanted him to help with household work.
When Luang Pu reached the age of 20, he was ordained into the Buddhist monastic order according to tradition at Wat Nong Pla Lai, Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Pathom Province, on June 15, 1943. His ordination was presided over by Phra Khru Sukit Thammasorn (Luang Pho Wang), the former abbot of Wat Kamphaeng Saen, as the preceptor; Luang Pho Pan Orakho of Wat Nong Pla Lai as the karma-vachariya; and Phra Ajarn Sanan of Wat Nong Pla Lai as the anusasana-acharya.
After thoroughly studying the Dharma and considering the teachings of his teachers, he made a firm decision to dedicate his life to the Buddhist monastic order. He began to take a serious interest in the practice of meditation. He lived a simple and humble life, yet was full of compassion for all his followers. Luang Pu was a senior monk whom his disciples respected and looked up to as a role model in their conduct.
Various places where Luang Pu Phaew Pavaro traveled for spiritual practice:
Residing at: 1st - 8th Rains Retreat at Wat Nong Muang, Tambon Tao It, Amphoe Phang Phae, Ratchaburi Province,
with Luang Pho Hong Inthasaro as the abbot.
Residing at: 9th - 11th Rains Retreat at Wat Pak Mai Lai, Tambon Thung Khwang, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom Province,
with Ajarn Eng as the abbot.
Residing at: 12th - 16th Rains Retreat at Wat Sawang Chat Pracha Bamrung, Tambon Kamphaeng Saen, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom Province,
with Ajarn Sunthorn Chitmaro as the abbot.
Residing at: 17th - 64th Rains Retreat at Wat Kamphaeng Saen, Tambon Huong Mon Thong, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom Province,
with Phra Khru Sukit Thammasorn (Luang Pho Wang Thammasaro) and Phra Khru Wimon.
His Eminence (Luang Pho Suwat Sucheevo) has served as abbot in succession.
He has resided at Wat Pracharat Bamrung (Rang Man), Rang Phikul Subdistrict, Kamphaeng Saen District,
Nakhon Pathom Province, for 65 years, with Phra Athikarn Somsak Intho as the current abbot.
On May 5, 2022, he received a royal decree appointing him to the ecclesiastical rank of Royal Abbot,
with the name Phra Ratchamongkol Wachirakom Udomthamsunthorn Mahakhanissorn
Bovornsangharam Khamawasi.