Ajahn Maha Bua

Ajahn Maha Bua (Ñāṇasampanno, 1913–2011 CE) was a senior disciple of Ajahn Mun and, in his later years, widely regarded as a head of the Thai Forest Tradition lineage. Born in Udon Thani in Thailand, he combined deep scriptural training (the title 'Maha' marks Pali examination success) with intensive forest meditation under Ajahn Mun, and founded Wat Pa Ban Tat near his home. He was known for vigorous Dhamma talks, for writing a celebrated biography of Ajahn Mun, and—late in life—for leading a national fundraising drive to support Thailand's gold and currency reserves after the 1997 financial crisis. Many of his followers regarded him as fully awakened; such judgments are devotional and are noted as tradition rather than asserted here. He is well documented and treated aniconically.