Luang Phor Khong Chattamalo

Luang Pho Khong Jattamalo (หลวงพ่อคง จตฺตมโล; 10 March 1913 – 13 December 1993), born Khong Bunyake, also known as the "Arahant with the Golden Body" (พระอรหันต์ร่างทอง), was a prominent Thai Theravada Buddhist monk renowned for his vipassana meditation teachings.^[1][2] He is credited with developing the "Dhamma Opens the World" (Thammā Pĕd Loke or ธรรมะเปิดโลก) meditation method and reviving Wat Khao Samphot in Lopburi Province, which became a major center for meditation practice.^[3]

His preserved, undecayed body, enshrined in a glass coffin at the temple, is a focal point of veneration.^[1]

Khong Bunyake was born on 10 March 1913 (B.E. 2456) in Non Phut Sa Village, Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.^[1][2] His father, Dee Bunyake, and mother, Ngaem Bunyake, were farmers. He was the second of nine children.^[2]

He received basic education in Tai Tham script, Khmer script, and Thai script at a local temple for two years but left to help with family farming.^[1]

At age 20, Khong ordained as a novice and later as a monk, studying Pali for three vassa retreats. Unable to continue studies in Bangkok, he disrobed, married, and settled in Buayai, Nakhon Ratchasima, fathering seven daughters.^[1][2]

In 1961 (B.E. 2504), as a layman, he practiced vipassana under meditation master Phra Maha Thanitt Panyapaso at Wat Buayai for seven years.^[2]

On 12 May 1968 (B.E. 2511), he re-ordained at Wat Buayai's sima, with Phra Phutthayanmuni as preceptor.^[1]

After the 1973 (B.E. 2516) vassa, he undertook thudong (wandering asceticism), settling in the "Cave of the Arahant" at Khao Samphoch per a nimitta (meditation sign). This site became Wat Khao Samphot in 1982 (B.E. 2525).^[3]

Luang Pho Khong taught strict Vipassana kammatthana.^[3] He founded the World Opening Dhamma meditation tradition (กรรมฐานธรรมะเปิดโลก), where practitioners observe bodily pains (e.g., headache) to visualize past-life karma causing them—such as harming others in a previous existence. Practitioners then cultivate metta and forgive to sever karmic cycles, "opening" insight into the three worlds via personal karma.^[3]

This method, accessible to laypeople, drew thousands to Wat Khao Samphoch.^[1]

Luang Pho Khong died peacefully on 13 December 1993 (B.E. 2536) at Siriraj Hospital, aged 80.^[1][2]

His body remained undecayed with a golden hue, enshrined in a glass coffin, earning him the title "Arahant Golden Body."^[3][1]

Wat Khao Samphoch remains a key meditation center offering retreats, vegetarian food, and natural caves.^[3]