Luang Phor Parn Sonanto

Luang Por Parn (หลวงพ่อปาน), monastic title Sonanto (16 July 1875 – 26 July 1938), was a renowned Geji Ajahn (respected meditation master) of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. He was the third abbot of Wat Bang Nom Kho, holding the position from 1935 until 1938.

Phra Khru Wihankitjanukarn was born as Parn Suthawong on 16 July 1875, during the reign of King Rama V, at Bang Nom Kho Subdistrict, Sena District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. He was the son of Mr. Sa-ard and Mrs. Im Suthawong.^[1]

In 1896 he was ordained at the upasampadā hall of Wat Bang Nom Kho. His preceptor was Luang Por Sun of Wat Bang Pla Mor; his teacher of monastic recitation was Phra Ajahn Choi of Wat Ban Paen; and his assistant instructor was Phra Ajahn Um of Wat Suthaphot. He was given the monastic name Sonanto.

After ordination, he trained with Luang Por Sun and then continued his studies at Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Viharn and Wat Chao Chet Nai. He also studied Thai traditional medicine at Wat Sangwet, learned from Luang Phor Niam Thammachoti and Luang Phor Nhong Indasuvanno of Wat Khlong Madan, and received instruction in the making and consecration of clay Buddha amulets from a lay ascetic. He further studied protective yantra rituals such as the Diamond Armor incantation (ยันต์เกราะเพชร), and received the Pacceka Bodhisatta mantra from Master Phueng of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

On 6 November 1931, he was granted the royal ecclesiastical title of Phra Khru Wihankitjanukarn.^[2]

His daily practice included receiving villagers after his meal to provide blessings, healing, protective water, and remedies for those afflicted by sorcery.

Luang Por Parn died on 26 July 1938, during the reign of King Rama VIII, aged 63, after 42 vassa as a monk. He left behind a legacy of sacred clay amulets, protective yantra cloths, and the Pacceka Bodhi mantra for the benefit of disciples. His successor as abbot of Wat Bang Nom Kho was Luang Por Lek Kesaro.

• Luang Phor Ruesi Ling Dam, abbot of Wat Chantharam in Uthai Thani Province
• Luang Pu Ruesi Ling Khao (Cho Aphinanto), abbot of Wat Ruekbunmi, Suphan Buri Province
• Luang Por Ruesi Ling Lek (Boonsri Inthavano), abbot of Wat Mai Srisutthawat, Nakhon Sawan Province
• Luang Phor Choen Punyasiri, abbot of Wat Khok Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

• The Collection of the 180 Greatest Thai Buddhist Masters (in Thai)

• Biography of Luang Por Parn, Wat Bang Nom Kho Archived 2012-01-14 at the Wayback Machine
• Biography of Luang Por Parn, Wat Bang Nom Kho (Palungjit Board) Archived 2013-01-17 at the Wayback Machine