Luang Pu Mun Bhūridatto, originally named “Mun Kaenkaew,” was born on Thursday, the second lunar month of the Year of the Goat, corresponding to January 20, 1870 (2413 B.E.),at Ban Kham Bong, Song Yang Subdistrict, Khong Chiam District (now Si Mueang Mai District), Ubon Ratchathani Province.
At the age of 15, he was ordained as a novice at Wat Ban Kham Bong (now Wat Si Bunruang). After only two years as a novice, he disrobed at his father’s request. When Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlo came to Ban Kham Bong on tudong (ascetic wandering) Luang Pu Man had the opportunity to serve him, which inspired deep faith in him. He practiced his precepts, and dedicated himself to being his disciple.
At the age of 23, he requested permission from his mother to be ordained as a Buddhist monk at the same monastery where Luang Pu Sao had been ordained – Wat Si Thong (now Wat Si Ubon Rattanaram), on June 12, 1893 (2436 B.E.). He received the monastic name Bhūridatto, meaning “Giver of Wisdom.”
After ordination, he trained in Vipassanā meditation under Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlō at Wat Liap, Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province.
In 1897 (2440 B.E.), he accompanied Luang Pu Sao on tudong to Phu Lon, Si Mueang Mai District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, where he practiced intensively for several years – marking the foundational phase of his samatha-vipassanā (calm and insight meditation) training.
In 1900 (2443 B.E.), together with Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlo and Luang Pu Nu Thitapañño, he undertook a dhutanga retreat at Phra That Phanom. Later, he wandered to various places and studied Dhamma under Venerable Upāli Guṇūpamacariya (Chan Siricando) at Wat Boromniwat Ratchaworawihan in Bangkok.
In 1915 (2458 B.E.), he returned to reside at Wat Burapharam, Mueang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, for one Rains Retreat. Later, he followed Luang Pu Sao Kantasīlo on tudong to Wat Phu Pha Kut in Khamcha-i District, Mukdahan Province. From there, they continued traveling to various locations throughout the Northeast and North of Thailand.
In 1935, they practiced meditation and attained Dhamma at Tham Dok Kham, Nam Phrae Subdistrict, Chiang Mai Province. He said to Luang Pu Khao Analayo, “I’ve finished my work, so I’ll just weave baskets to assist you and the disciples.” Later, Phra Dhammachedi (Chum Phanthulo), the abbot of Wat Phothisomphon in Udon Thani Province, invited him to return to the Northeast. He took the train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, then went on tudong to Wat Pah Salawan in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and spent the Rains Retreat at Wat Pah Nonniwet in Udon Thani Province, as well as at various monasteries in Sakon Nakhon Province.
From 1945 to 1949 (2488–2492 B.E.), he resided at Wat Pah Ban Nong Phue, Na Nai Subdistrict, Phanna Nikhom District, Sakon Nakhon Province – a place conducive to teaching and spreading the Dhamma. He devoted himself to teaching his disciples, both directly and indirectly, without regard for personal fatigue. It is considered the place where he resided for the longest period in his life.
In 1949, Luang Pu Mun Bhūridatto fell seriously ill and passed away on November 11, 1949 (2492 B.E.),at Wat Pah Sutthawat in Sakon Nakhon Province.
His disciples and followers held the cremation ceremony at the same monastery on January 30, 1950 (2493 B.E.). He lived for 79 years having completed 56 Rains Retreats as a monk.