Ajahn Chah

Venerable Ajahn Chah was a Thai Forest Tradition meditation master born near Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, in 1918. After years of study, wandering, and austere forest practice, he founded Wat Pah Pong in 1954, which became the root monastery for a wide network of branch monasteries. Known for his direct, practical teaching style, strict monastic training, and emphasis on mindfulness, simplicity, and letting go, Ajahn Chah helped bring Thai Forest Buddhism to the West through disciples such as Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Amaro and the founding of Wat Pah Nanachat, the International Forest Monastery.