Wat Pah Na Kae is recognized as the 106th branch monastery of Wat Nong Pah Pong, the monastery founded by Ajahn Chah. As such, it is part of the Forest Tradition of Northeastern Thailand, rooted in the legacy of the revered teachers Ajahn Mun and his mentor, Ajahn Sao.
Brief History of Wat Pah Na Kae
This forest in Ban Na Kea was originally a public cemetery — a piece of land set aside by the villagers for shared community use. In 1970, a monk named Luang Pu Kham, wandered here for approximately three years. The Na Kae cemetery then became a monastery. After Luang Pu Kham’s departure, another renowned monk, revered by many locals, came to reside there. This monk, Luang Pu Nu Inthapanyo, known to the villagers as “Venerable Father Nu”, resided there for seven years. Afterwards, he returned to Ban Khae Don (Wat Dom Pradit), where he had previously resided.
Subsequently, several other monks, such as Phra Ajahn Luecha, Phra Ajahn Phumi, Phra Ajahn Kanha, Phra Ajahn Thawin, and Phra Ajahn Kham Suk, visited the Na Kae cemetery. However, as they were limited to two or three rains retreats each before wandering on, none of them remained permanently.
Between 1989 and 1990, the villagers of Na Kae, who were deeply devoted to Buddhist teachings and the practices of the Forest Monasteries, were disheartened to see the monastery left deserted due to the absence of resident monks. Determined to restore its spiritual vitality, they took the initiative to actively seek out Forest Tradition teachers willing to reside there permanently.
Wat Pa Sai Ngam is branch No. 10 of Wat Nong Pa Pong, located at the edge of the nearby town of Det Udom. The villagers were well-acquainted with the practice of forest monasteries, and thus, they went to pay their respects to Luang Pho Anek Yasadinno, the abbot of Wat Pa Sai Ngam. In response to their request, Luang Por Anek Yasadinno assigned Phra Ajahn Prayat Opaso to stay and benefit the faithful. At that time, Phra Ajahn Prayat did not hold any administrative position; he had only been a monk for seven years. Later, Phra Ajahn Prayat, along with the faithful laypeople of Ban Na Kae, worked diligently to develop this monastic residence. Their shared aspiration was to establish a monastery in accordance with the regulations of the Sangha Supreme Council and applicable local laws.
Later, Mrs. Suriyan Mipol donated land adjacent to the monks’ residence, covering approximately 22 rai, 1 ngan, and 91 square wah, for the construction of a monastery. Mrs. Somkid Chomin also donated land, covering another 16 rai and 39 square wah, for the monastery’s construction. The process of establishing the monastery was successfully completed[1].
Permission to establish Wat Pa Na Kae was granted on December 15, 2000.
Phra Ajahn Prayat was appointed abbot, by the name Phra Athikan Prayat Opaso[2] on August 23, 2002 and was granted the ecclesiastical title of Phrakru Papha Tawankun.
The following year, the monastic administration within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Det Udom District and Non Sombun Subdistrict proposed the appointment of Phrakru Papha Tawankun as the Abbot of Non Sombun Subdistrict[3]. He also submitted a request for an examination for an Upajjhāya (preceptor), which resulted in his appointment as Upajjhāya the following year.
In 2015, Phrakru Papha Tawankun resigned from his position as abbot and began traveling elsewhere.
In 2015, Phra Ajahn Saweang Vaṁsadhammo[4], the assistant abbot of Wat Pa Sai Ngam, who was ordained there in 1990, moved in to act as the acting abbot for one year.
In 2016, Phrakru Sangkharak Saweang Vaṁsadhammo was appointed abbot of Wat Pa Na Kae on December 1st, 2016.
In 2018, He was offered the position of abbot of Non Sombun Subdistrict, District 2, on June 20th , 2018.
In 2019, Phrakru Sangkharak Saweang Vaṁsadhammo was appointed abbot of Non Sombun Subdistrict, District 2, on July 1st , 2019.
Phrakru Sangkharak Saweang Vaṁsadhammo was offered to take exams for the position of Upajjhāya (preceptor). He was appointed preceptor on February 16th , 2019.
In 2024, he received the ecclesiastical title of Phrakru Wachiradhamwong, on December 5th 2024.
[1] Thai law permits a monastery to be officially established only on privately owned land, so it was not possible to found a monastery solely on public village land. Only after the private land donations were made was it possible to obtain approval for the establishment of an official monastery at the site.
[2] It is customary in Thailand to grant a new official name to a monk who receives a new title. Thus, as a monk advances through the formal ranks, he may change his official name several times. However, in public, he is usually still known by the familiar name under which he first became known.
[3] Responsible for all the monasteries within the sub-district in which the monastery is located.
[4] The current abbot.
