Luang Por Liem Thitadhammo was born in Ban Khok Chan, Sisaket Province on the 5th of November 1941 (B.E.2484). On May 28th, 1960 (B.E.2503), he recieved the Novice ordination at Wat Ban Khok Chan. On the same year he passed the first-level Nak Tham examinations.
After higher ordination on April 22nd, 1961 (B.E.2504) at the age of twenty, Luang Por Liem practiced in several village monasteries throughout Northeastern Thailand. He passed the second-level Nak Tham examinations in 1962 (B.E.2505), and the final level in 1964 (B.E.2507).
In 1967 (B.E.2510), he studied the Abhidhamma in Bangkok, and in 1968 (B.E.2511), began looking for a great teacher. He joined the Forest Tradition by taking up training under Luang Por Chah on July 1969 (B.E.2512) at Wat Nong Pah Pong in Ubon Province.
Living under Luang Por Chah’s guidance, Luang Por Liem soon became one of his closest disciples. In May 1973 (B.E.2516), Luang Por Chah sent Luang Por Liem to Wat That Thong in Laos, where he stayed until the unrest there in 1975 (B.E.2518).
After Luang Por Chah became severely ill in 1982 (B.E.2525), he entrusted Luang Por Liem with leading the monastery. Shortly thereafter, as Luang Por Chah’s illness prevented him from speaking, the Sangha of Wat Nong Pah Pong appointed Luang Por Liem as acting abbot. In November of that year, he officially assumed the role.
In the following years, Luang Por Liem inaugurated the Ordination Hall at Wat Pah Pong (Feb. 1983 [B.E.2526]), established the Ajahn Chah Museum (completed in Jan. 1985[B.E.2528]), built the road around Wat Pah Pong (Jul. 1988[B.E.2531]), constructed the Dhamma Hall at Wat Pah Pong (completed in Jan. 1992[B.E.2535]), and began construction of the Dining Hall (Mar. 1991[B.E.2534]).
Ajahn Chah passed away on January 16th, 1992 (B.E.2535), and preparations for his funeral began soon after. Luang Por Liem oversaw the construction of the chedi, which began in July that year and was completed in 1993. Ajahn Chah’s cremation took place on January 16th, 1993 (B.E.2536). A year later, on January 16th, 1994 (B.E.2537), his relics were enshrined, and Luang Por Liem was officially appointed as the new abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong. In 1996 (B.E.2539), after being invited to sit the exam, he was appointed as a preceptor and has since ordained a full generation of monks.
Ever since he was entrusted by Luang Por Chah to lead the monastery, Luang Por Liem has tirelessly continued his work, preserving the heritage of Luang Por Chah’s Dhamma and distinctive style of monastic training for monks, nuns, and lay disciples. He has supported the expansion of the Wat Pah Pong branch monastery network, encouraging the establishment and development of hundreds of monasteries throughout Thailand and abroad.
He has traveled far and wide to many countries around the world on a mission to strengthen local communities in the practice of the Dhamma. Out of compassion, he has visited Laos, Australia, New Zealand, England, Italy, France, the USA, Canada, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, China, Germany, Portugal, Norway, and Brazil—many of them several times. Wherever he went, he was received with the utmost honor, love, and admiration.
As a token of appreciation from the Thai people, Luang Por Liem has been granted three honorary monastic titles by His Majesty the King of Thailand. He is currently known as Phra Phromwachirayanasophon.
You might be also interested in this:
Read Luang Por Liem’s autobiographic description of his first year with Ajahn Cha
Listen/View Luang Por’s Dhamma Talk “Putting Out the Fire“ – translated to English by Ajahn Kalyano.