Sangkhla Buri: Kruba Boonchum Yanasangvaro, a renowned monk from Lanna, alongside more than 50 of his disciples, visited the Sunyataram Forest Monastery in Kanchanaburi Province to pay respects to the late Phra Yantra Amoro Bhikkhu.
According to Thai News Agency, the event was attended by Phra Anan Aphinnato, the caretaker monk of the monastery, Mr. Suriyasak Muean-Uam, the District Chief of Sangkhla Buri, and more than 300 Buddhists, including monks, nuns, and lay devotees. This gathering was organized to welcome Kruba Boonchum, the abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Wiang Kaew in Chiang Rai Province, who traveled to honor the body of his former mentor.
During the visit, Kruba Boonchum ascended to the Vipassana Hall, where the body of Phra Yantra lay. He honored his former teacher by offering a garland, incense sticks, and candles, followed by leading a prayer and meditation session. In an act of generosity, he donated 100,000 baht to support a merit-making ceremony for chanting Abhidhamma and contributed an additional 1,000,000 baht to establish the Phra Ajahn Yantra Amoro Bhikkhu Foundation for the promotion of Buddhism.
Kruba Boonchum reflected on his relationship with Phra Yantra, recounting his early days as a novice monk at the age of 12 when he accompanied Phra Ajahn Yantra on pilgrimages across northern regions, including Burma and India. He expressed gratitude for the teachings and guidance he received in Vipassana meditation and the Dhamma-Vinaya.
Before departing, Kruba Boonchum paid a final visit to the cold coffin of Phra Yantra, remarking to Phra Anan that his teacher appeared as if he was simply sleeping. He then distributed red strings, regarded as sacred objects, to attendees and announced his intention to return for the cremation ceremony, suggesting he might stay for an extended period. The Buddhists present expressed their joy by chanting "Sadhu."