Monk Wa

PHRA Suthiwas Aggaviro

Ordination Date: 8 April 2014 (12 Vassa)

Nationality: Thai
Languages: Thai, English
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Genetics Science, Kasetsart University (KU), Bangkok

Born in Songkhla and raised in Pattaya, Chonburi, Monk Wa has been actively involved in volunteer activities and youth development since his university years. He participated in Interact and Rotary club and was a scholarship recipient of the YWCA in Pattaya. He was also selected for a Ph.D. scholarship quota program through SAST. During his university years, he devoted much of his time to developing youth potential and was one of the founding members of the EQ Club at KU.

After completing his bachelor’s degree, he made the decision to ordain as a Theravada Buddhist monk and dedicate himself fully to meditation practice and the sharing of inner peace. To date, thousands of people from diverse backgrounds have experienced greater inner peace through his guidance, an achievement of which Monk Wa is most proud.

Monk Tim

PHRA TIM DHIRANANDO

Ordination Date: 20 July 2014 (12 Vassa)

Nationality: American
Languages: English, Thai
Education: GED, Bachelors in Accounting

From Sacramento, California, Monk Tim travelled to Thailand in 2014 looking for meditation training and ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk.

Ever since, immersed in a monk’s life of mindfulness and meditation, he shares his knowledge with individuals and groups from across the world. He enjoys the art of drawing and journaling, using it as a tool to support the pursuit of inner peace.

Monk Sun

Phra Souriya Buddhisaro

Ordination Date: 27 September 2015 (11 Vassa)

Nationality: Lao
Languages: Lao, Thai, English
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, National University of Laos, Vientiane

Monk Sun originally from Vientiane, Laos, has been dedicated to meditation and the study of the Buddha’s teachings for many years. Since ordaining as a Buddhist monk in 2015, he has devoted his life to learning, practicing, and exploring the deeper dimensions of meditation. Through his practice, he has come to understand that true happiness is not found in material things, status, or external circumstances, but within ourselves. “When the mind is happy, happiness can be found anywhere.”

Today, Monk Sun teaches meditation and Buddhist practices to people from diverse backgrounds while continuing his own journey of deeper practice and inner understanding. His aspiration is to help people move beyond suffering and discover lasting inner peace and true happiness, both in Thailand and around the world.

Monk Mark

PHRA Nattawut Rochanawuttho

Ordination Date: 26 November 2016 (9 Vassa)

Nationality: Thai
Languages: Thai, English
Education: Bachelor Degree in Marine Engineering

In 2016, he joined a one-month temporary ordination program to experience life as a monk. While ordained, he had a chance to practice meditation seriously and found a new kind of happiness from within. This inspired him to pursue a deeper understanding, and to share meditation teachings with anyone interested: newly ordained monks, laypeople, Thais, and foreigners alike.

Monk Peem

PHRA Peemwat Dhammavisuddho

Ordination Date: 29 April 2017 (9 Vassa)

Nationality: Thai
Languages: English, Thai, Pali
Education: Political Science, Pathumthani University. Pali Scholar Level 9

Born in Bangkok and raised in Chonburi, Venerable Peemwat entered monastic life as a novice ten times, with his final novice ordination in 2015. He ordained as a monk in 2017 and continued his studies in Pali, completing Pali Level 9 in 2024, the highest level of traditional Pali studies in Thailand.

He has taught Pali and currently guides meditation and Buddhist teachings with both Thai and international people.

Monk Srijug

PHRA Srijug Javanapunyo

Ordination Date: 16 December 2018 (8 Vassa)

Nationality: Thai
Languages: English, Thai, Mandarin, Cantonese
Education: Bachelor Degree in Recording Arts SAE institute, Australia

Monk Srijug was born in the Southern part of Thailand and went to an international high school in Malaysia. He was passionate about success, so he joined his brother’s design company (Cerebrum Design Ltd) in sales and marketing and started his own network marketing company.

While pursuing his dream, he continued to practice meditation and has had several (9) short-term ordinations since 2003. In 2018 after his 10th ordination, he decided to stay and deepen his meditation practice while helping others to develop themselves.

Monk Toyo

PHRA Wuttikrai Adhivaro

Ordination Date: 13 July 2019 (8 vassa)

Nationality: Thai
Languages: Thai
Education: Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering. Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai

Prior to his ordination, his professional background helped him develop strong analytical thinking, discipline, and problem-solving skills before dedicating his life to the Buddhist monastic path. In addition to his secular education, he successfully completed the Nak Tham Ek (Advanced Dhamma Studies) examination, the highest level of the traditional Thai Buddhist Dhamma education system for monks.

As a Teaching Monk, he focuses on presenting Buddhist principles in a clear and accessible manner suitable for modern society. His aspiration is to serve as a source of inspiration and merit for devoted Buddhists while contributing to the preservation and continuation of Buddhism for future generations.

Monk Nathan

PHRA Nattawooth Thanarakkho

Ordination Date: 13 December 2020 (6 Vassa)

Nationality: Thai
Languages: English, Thai, Mandarin
Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Faculty of Architectural, KMITL, Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Before becoming a monk, Monk Nate worked as an architect, designer, and consultant. He also worked in construction material marketing and sales and later became a property coach and CEO of Canvass Property Co., Ltd.

Meditation supported him throughout his professional journey. After becoming a monk, he deepened his practice and found greater inner peace and happiness. Today, he shares what he has learned through meditation with people around the world, inspiring others to cultivate greater peace and happiness within themselves.

Monk River

PHRA River Pavuddhabalo

Ordination Date: 8 July 2022 (4 Vassa)

Nationality: British
Languages: English, Thai
Education: Bachelors in Philosophy

Venerable River Pavuddhabalo Bhikkhu is an English Theravadan Monk, with over 30 years of experience in meditation along with a four-year meditation retreat, he brings a wide and deep knowledge of meditation and Eastern Wisdom to his teachings. He has studied under Buddhist Adepts, Taoist Qigong Grandmasters, Yogic Swamis, Breatharians, and recently re-ordained at Wat Ban Khun, Chiang Mai, Thailand, in July 2022 as a Theravada Buddhist Monk after a previous 10-year ordination was interrupted by health issues.

He has taught meditation internationally and worked at world’s top spas mentoring and giving therapy and guiding meditation to countless CEOs and millionaires. Now simply enjoys the meditative life of a monk.

Monk Bank

PHRA Richawiwit Dantabalo

Ordination: 7 March 2022 (4 Vassa)

Nationality: Thai
Languages: English, Thai
Education: Master’s Degree Film & Digital Arts

Monk Bank, age 41, holds a Master’s degree in Film and Video. Before ordaining, he was a professional dancer representing Thailand internationally and a successful dance coach at William B Studio. With over 20 years of experience, he competed in dance competitions worldwide and founded the Bangkok International Dance Club (BIDC).

In 2022, he joined the Monk Life Project and was ordained on March 7, 2022. Through dedicated meditation practice, he discovered deep inner peace and a profound sense of purpose. Today, he devotes his life to practicing Dhamma and sharing Buddhist teachings with international visitors at iMONASTERY Chiang Mai.