Luang Pu Phat Thitipañño

Phra Kru Wibun Panyawat (Phat Thitipañño) was the former abbot of Wat Ban Kruat in Ban Kruat District, Buriram Province, and a renowned geji master of esoteric sciences (wicha) from the southern Isan region.^[1]

Phra Kru Wibun Panyawat, commonly known as Luang Pu Phat Thitipañño, was a revered geji monk of Wat Ban Kruat, Buriram Province. He was born on May 3, 2454 BE (1911 CE) in Ban Du, Tambon Prasat, Prasat District, Surin Province. His father was Mr. Iang and his mother was Mrs. Tiap Dibbapakon. He was the third of four siblings.^[2]

He ordained as a samanera in 2470 BE (1927 CE) at Wat Ban Phlap, Tambon Thung Mon, Prasat District, Surin Province. After two years, he disrobed to help his parents with farming. In 2476 BE (1933 CE), at age 22, he took full bhikkhu ordination at the ubosot of Wat Ban Kruat, Ban Kruat District, Buriram Province.

Luang Pu Phat traveled widely to study Buddhist esoteric knowledge and traditional medicine, in line with local customs. He spent three years learning sacred incantations (wicha) in Udon Mean Chey Province, Cambodia, and eight years practicing forest meditation (thudong) and studying occult sciences at Angkor Wat, Cambodia.^[3]

He became abbot of Wat Ban Kruat in 2495 BE (1952 CE), succeeding Luang Pu Hring. Known for his ascetic lifestyle and reticent speech, he created numerous sacred amulets and blessed objects.

A well-known anecdote recounts a group of devotees from Ban Kruat visiting the famous monk Luang Por Khun Parissuddho of Wat Ban Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. When Luang Phor Khun asked where they were from, they replied "Ban Kruat." He responded: "Why come to me for blessings? Go pay respects to the Great Father at Wat Ban Kruat instead."

He died from kidney disease at Wat Ban Kruat, Buriram Province, on January 5, 2558 BE (2015 CE), aged 103 with 85 vassa (monastic years).