Luang Pu Chob Thanasamo

Luang Pu Chob Thanasamo (Thai: หลวงปู่ชอบ ฐานสโม; 12 February 1902 – 8 January 1995) was a Thai Theravāda forest monk in the Dhammayuttika Nikaya. He was renowned for his ascetic wandering practice (dhutaṅga), strict meditation discipline, and was considered a disciple of Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta. He established several meditation monasteries in northern and northeastern Thailand as well as in Laos.^[1][2]

Luang Pu Chob was born on 12 February 1902 in Ban Khok Mon, Phu Pha Noy Subdistrict, Wang Saphung District, Loei Province, to Mr. Mail and Mrs. Pa Kaewsuwan. His family originally lived in Dan Sai District, a mountainous area where farming was difficult, and later migrated to Ban Khok Mon.^[1]

At the age of 19 (1921), he was ordained as a novice monk at Wat Ban Nakhae, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, where he remained for over four years. On 21 March 1924, at the age of 23, he received full ordination as a monk at Wat Si Thammararam, Yasothon Province. His preceptor was Phra Khru Wijit Wisotanacharn, with Phra Ajahn Daeng serving as his instructor.^[2]

Luang Pu Chob was noted for his solitary wandering practice and fearless ascetic discipline. He avoided large gatherings, preferring seclusion in forests and mountains. Ajahn Mun praised him before other disciples, saying: “If you all could meditate like Chob, that would be excellent — he has gone very far in meditation.”^[3]

According to his hagiographies, he was believed to have attained the six higher knowledges (abhiññā), including recollection of past lives, clairaudience, telepathy, and the destruction of the taints. He was said to be able to teach devas, nāgas, and beings in other realms, as well as to understand different languages through concentration.^[4]

His forest wanderings were considered daring — often traveling at night under the full moon, and enduring encounters with wild animals such as tigers. On one occasion, when surrounded by tigers, he focused deeply in meditation and radiated loving-kindness until they departed.^[2]

In 1946 (B.E. 2489), while wandering in northern Thailand, his Dhamma companion Luang Pu Khao Analayo invited him back to Isan. He then resided at Phachahin Ngoen cremation ground, now Wat Pa Khok Mon. Later, in 1961, he was invited by villagers to establish Wat Pa Sammanusorn in Ban Khok Mon, Loei Province, to turn people from spirit worship toward taking refuge in the Triple Gem. He remained there for decades, alternating with stays at Wat Pa Khok Mon.^[1]

He was also respected in Laos, where he established monasteries, including one at Ban Nabua, Sanakham District, Vientiane Province.^[4]

Luang Pu Chob met Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta at Ban Samphong Forest Hermitage in Nakhon Phanom Province. Ajahn Mun encouraged him, saying: “Continue your practice as you have done — do not stop. The 84,000 teachings of the Buddha are found within this very heart. If you wish to know them, search within yourself.”^[2]

Ajahn Mun entrusted him with guiding other monks who strayed from proper conduct. His contemporaries regarded him as having deep meditative knowledge comparable to Ajahn Mun.^[3]

Luang Pu Chob was regarded as a key disciple in the Thai Forest Tradition, admired for his courage, simplicity, and dedication to solitude. His students included many notable meditation masters:^[1]

• Luang Pu Khamdee Paphaso (Wat Tham Pha Pu, Loei)
• Luang Pu Sama Ajutto (Wat Pa Amphawan, Loei)
• Luang Pu Boonrit Pannito (Suan Thip Hermitage, Nonthaburi)
• Luang Pu Udom Ñāṇarato (Wat Pa Sathit Thamwanaram, Bueng Kan)
• Luang Pu Bunpin Katapunyo (Wat Pa Pha Thep Nimit, Sakon Nakhon)
• Luang Por Prasit Punyamākaro (Wat Pa Moo Mai, Chiang Mai)
• Luang Por Chanrien Kunavaro (Wat Tham Sahai Tham, Udon Thani)
• Luang Por Khantee Ñāṇavaro (Wat Pa Santitham, Loei)
• Luang Pu Sorn Anusāsako (Wat Tham Phalom, Loei)
• Luang Pu Sim Buddhacaro (Wat Tham Pah Pong, Chiang Mai)

In 1972 (B.E. 2515), at age 75, he suffered a stroke due to a blood clot. He died on 8 January 1995 at 11:38 AM, while traveling from Bangkok to Loei. His age at death was 91 years, 11 months, 27 days, having spent 71 vassa (rain retreats) in the monkhood.^[2]

• Phra Paisal Visalo, Ajahn Mun and the Thai Forest Tradition (Bangkok: Komol Keemthong Foundation, 2003) – contextual reference for disciples of Ajahn Mun.