Khruba Apichai Khao Pi

Khruba Aphichai Khao Pi (Northern Thai: ᩕᨣᩪᨷᩤᨧᩮᩢ᩶ᩣᩋᨽᩥᩱᨩ᩠ᨿᨢᩣ᩠ᩅᨸᩦ; Thai: ครูบาอภิชัยขาวปี; 15 April 1889 – 3 March 1977), born Champi (Thai: จำปี), was a Thai Buddhist monk and close disciple of Khruba Siwichai. He was later forced to disrobe and wear white robes, leading to his popular name Khruba Khao Pi (Northern Thai: ᩕᨣᩪᨷᩤᨢᩣ᩠ᩅᨸᩦ; Thai: ครูบาอภิชัยขาวปี; lit. 'The White Kruba').^[1]

Khruba Aphichai was born on 15 April 1889 in Lamphun province, Siam.^[2] He was the son of Mao and Chanta. His father died when he was eight years old, and at age 16 his mother brought him to study under Khruba Siwichai at Wat Ban Pang.^[3]

He was diligent, obedient, and studious, eventually gaining literacy and skill in chanting. He also showed talent in construction work, learning carpentry and masonry while helping in temple projects. At age 22, he ordained as a monk and received the Dhamma name Abhijayo.

During his 13th rains retreat, Khruba Aphichai was accused of evading military conscription and was imprisoned. While in prison, he initiated the building of Lamphun Hospital. After release, Khruba Sriwichai reordained him, but later he was again accused, this time of soliciting funds to build a Ubosot, and forced to disrobe for a second time.^[4]

When Khruba Sriwichai led the construction of the road up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Khruba Aphichai brought 500 Karen villagers to help until completion. Afterwards, he was temporarily reordained at Wat Sri Soda, but this again led to controversy and ecclesiastical charges against Khruba Sriwichai. Consequently, Khruba Aphichai was once more forced to disrobe and resumed wearing white robes.

Despite not being recognized as a monk, he continued to practice strict observances and uphold Buddhist precepts. Many laypeople regarded him as a true successor of Khruba Sriwichai and invited him to lead temple and community projects.

Khruba Aphichai eventually resided at Wat Phra Phutthabat Pha Nam in Li district, Lamphun, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was active in temple restorations, as well as in building schools and hospitals, such as Ban Samlang School in Chiang Mai.^[5]

In 1971, devotees in Lampang invited him to oversee the construction of a temple. Later, in March 1977, he was invited to preside over the building of a Vihāra of Wat Tha Tonthongchai in Sukhothai. He died peacefully on 3 March 1977, a day after arriving there.^[6]