Luang Phor Choen Punyasiri

Phra Mongkolwarachan (Thai: พระมงคลวราจารย์), commonly known as Luang Pho Choen (Thai: หลวงพ่อเชิญ), Dharma name Punyasiri (ปุญฺญสิริ), was a highly respected Thai Buddhist monk and meditation master from Ang Thong Province. He was the former abbot of Wat Khok Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.

Luang Pho Choen was born Choen Kudisuk on April 12, 1907, in Ban Dong Tan, Pho Phaeng Subdistrict, Pa Mok District, Ang Thong Province. His father’s name was Khluap and his mother’s name was Lo. At the age of eight, his father brought him to study with Chao Athikan Khab, the abbot of Wat Rueachai, where he learned to read and write.

Recognizing Choen’s intelligence and diligence, Luang Pho Khab introduced him to Phra Khru Bowon Sangkhakit (Phim), the abbot of Wat Khok Thong and district ecclesiastical head of Sena. Choen served under him as an attendant until he was ordained as a novice on June 5, 1923, with Luang Pho Phim as preceptor. He studied under Luang Pu Suk Kesaro and passed the Nak Tham Tri (basic Dhamma exam) in 1926.

He was fully ordained as a monk at Wat Khok Thong on June 1, 1927, with Luang Pho Khab of Wat Rueachai as preceptor, Luang Pho Phim of Wat Khok Thong as the chanting teacher, and Phra Palat Chaem of Wat Khok Thong as the reciting teacher. He was given the monastic name Punyasiri.^[1] In his first year as a monk, he passed the Nak Tham Tho (intermediate Dhamma exam) and studied meditation with Luang Phor Jong Phuttasaro and Luang Phor Klan Thammachoti.

He worked for many years assisting Luang Pho Phim in restoring and developing the temple, eventually earning the Nak Tham Ek (advanced Dhamma) degree in 1935 (B.E. 2478).

Luang Pho Choen died peacefully on January 21, 2000, at the age of 92 years, 284 days, after 73 rains retreats (vassa).

• 1948 (B.E. 2491): Acting abbot of Wat Khok Thong
• 1949 (B.E. 2492): Appointed abbot of Wat Khok Thong
• 1962 (B.E. 2505): Ecclesiastical head of Kudi Subdistrict and preceptor
• 1966 (B.E. 2509): Appointed as preceptor (Phra Upachaya)

• 1931 (B.E. 2474): Received the position of Phra Samuh from Phra Khru Bowon Sangkhakit (Phim)
• 1935 (B.E. 2478): Promoted to Phra Palat
• December 5, 1968 (B.E. 2511): Appointed as Phra Khru Wichai Prasitthikhun, third-class subdistrict ecclesiastical officer^[2]
• 1974 (B.E. 2517): Promoted to second-class in the same title
• 1979 (B.E. 2522): Promoted to first-class in the same title
• December 5, 1996 (B.E. 2539): Elevated to royal ecclesiastical rank as Phra Mongkolwarachan^[3]