Phra Khru Wiwek Phutthakit (Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlo) was born on November 2, 1859, in Ban Kha Khom, Tambon Nong Khon, Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province.
At the age of 12, Luang Pu Sao went to live and serve as a temple boy at Wat Tai, Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province (currently known as Wat Phra Chao Yai Ong Tue), which is affiliated with the Mahā Nikāya sect. He was later ordained there as a novice in 1874 at the age of 15. While at Wat Tai, he studied Aksorn Khom, Aksorn Thai Noi [1] and Thai literature, as was customary for education at the time.
When he reached the canonical age for full ordination in 1879, Luang Pu Sao was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Wat Tai, within the Mahā Nikāya sect, and he resided there for ten Rains Retreats.
In 1889, Luang Pu Sao attended a Dhamma talk by Phra Ajahn Mao Thewathammi and was deeply inspired, leading him to request to become his disciple. He subsequently underwent re-ordination in the Dhammayuttika Nikāya sect at the main ordination hall of Wat Si Thong (now Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram). Phra Khru Tha Jōtipālo served as his preceptor, and Phra Athikarn Sitha Jayasēnō was the instructing teacher.
Luang Pu Sao was inclined toward samatha (tranquility) and vipassanā (insight) meditation. He was exceptional in his diligence, modesty, and composed demeanor—possessing refined manners, speaking little, and showing great prudence. He was also dedicated to guiding and instructing others in this path. He was devoted to the ascetic practices (dhutanga) and strictly adhered to the Dhamma-Vinaya. Preferring solitude, he did not become attached to any particular residence. He often went on tudong (wandering practice), cultivating the monastic path in forests, jungles, and mountainous regions throughout Thailand and Laos.
Between 1891 and 1893, Luang Pu Sao went on tudong and passed through the village of Kham Bong in Si Mueang Mai District, Ubon Ratchathani Province.
There, he gave a Dhamma sermon and provided instruction to Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta, who was still a layman at the time. This encounter inspired great faith and devotion in him, ultimately leading him to follow Luang Pu Sao and seek ordination.
This event marked a momentous beginning for the lineage of kammaṭṭhāna masters, a legacy that continues to this day. Because of this, the kammaṭṭhāna lineage later bestowed upon Phra Ajahn Sao the epithet “Phra Paramācariya Kammaṭṭhāna” (“The Supreme Kammaṭṭhāna Master”).
Between 1916 and 1921, he spent the Rains Retreat at Champa Cave, Phu Pha Kut, in Nong Sung Sub-district, Khamcha-i District, Mukdahan Province.
He observed the Rains Retreat together with Phra Ajahn Mun. One day, while Luang Pu Sao was sitting alone in a secluded place, he contemplated the Noble Truths and gained direct knowledge and understanding of reality as it truly is. On that very day, he completely cut off all doubt.
As the end of the Rains Retreat approached, he had attained direct knowledge of the ultimate truth in all its aspects. He then told Phra Ajahn Mun, “I have relinquished my aspiration to become a Paccekabuddha, and I have truly seen the Dhamma as it is.” Upon hearing this, Phra Ajahn Mun was filled with great rapture and knew through his mental intuition that Luang Pu Sao had surely attained Liberation in this very life.”
In addition to being an exemplary practitioner, Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlō was also exceptionally strict in observing the monastic discipline (Vinaya).
Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlō consistently cultivated the Brahmavihāras, embodying the path taught by the Buddha in every way — through loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. If one were to describe him according to his conduct, it could be said that he was completely pure in body, speech, and mind, radiating virtue in abundance.
He guided his followers toward development in ” Moral restraint, concentration and wisdom” so that they might understand the tricks and traps of the defilements that enter to disturb and harass the mind, causing it to wander. Because of his ultimate compassion, he endeavored to compile a book named Juttrālak, which summarizes his practice guidelines.
He regarded the practice of Vipassanā and strict adherence to monastic routines as the central focus for all of his disciples at the time. After giving them instruction and delivering clear sermons on the True Dhamma, he would encourage each of them to undertake the Dhutaṅga practices — to leave the community, venture into the forest, and strive for the realization of the Dhamma, the fruit of which was guaranteed by the Buddha Himself.
Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlō passed away while performing the third prostration before the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall of Wat Ammattayaram, in the Wannawaithayakorn District of Nakhon Champassak Province — which at the time was part of Thailand and is now located in Champasak Province, Laos.
This occurred on February 3, 1942. He was 82 years, 3 months, and 1 day old, having completed 62 Rains Retreats.
His disciples later brought his body back to Wat Burapharam in Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, where the cremation ceremony was held on April 15–16, 1943.
[1] These are names of historical script types or alphabets that were primarily used for writing Buddhist scriptures and traditional texts in the region of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. and Thai literature, as was customary for education at the time.