The 85th Anniversary Of The Most Venerable Vice Abbott Luang Phor Dattajivo

It is not for me to summarize the infinite life-achievements of Luang Phor Dattajivo.

Yes, “infinite life-achievements”, as a person, as a monk and Vice Abbott, as a friend, as an author and a writer, as a teacher and an administrator, as a professional, and as a great social transformer.

He has dedicated most of his life and efforts to share and disseminate Buddha’s most fundamental teachings, including those of meditation, morals, ethics, virtues, and inner wisdom.

His Buddhist Canonical work and knowledge are outstanding, and the sharing with all of us is unprecedented.

To read and to study his books is extremely transformational.

A true visionary leader, teacher, guide, problem-solver, mediator, and planetary ambassador of Theravada Buddhism.

He embodies the values taught by the Buddha.

His constant acts of generosity are a testimony to his dedication to others.

I have been extremely privileged to have crossed his karmic path in this lifetime.

It is not the first time that that happened.

In this lifetime, he is my spiritual brother and my dearest friend for more than 20 years.

If I were to focus on the occasions we have spent together, and if I were to share what happened and how much I have learned from it, we would need many days of celebration.

His first visit to the UN in Geneva.
His conferences and seminars.
His seminal works in education.
His proposals for a better world.

And so on.

More than a hundred occasions when we shared deep, insightful, and productive moments.

Also, I want to bring to the fore the times we spent together with Lama Gangchen Tulku Rinpoche.

These are indescribable.

Yes, it was Lama Gangchen Tulku Rinpoche who introduced me to Luang Phor Dattajivo, to Venerable Abbott Luang Phor Dhammajayo, and to Khun Yay Achan Mahā-ratana Upasika Chandra Khonnokyoong (Khun Yay).

Luang Phor Dattajivo, Lama Gangchen, and I spent some fundamental moments together.

Over the course of the years, Luang Phor Dattajivo has shared with me so much knowledge and wisdom (“finetuning”), and given me strong spiritual and strategic support to keep ‘changing the world’.

I never forget my stay for several months in deep silence, in Panawat.

This experience was very unique and life-changing, thanks to Him.

You were so caring!

You would visit me, like once a week, only to ask me in person how I was doing, and to provide me with all the support I needed to understand and to deepen my experience of pure silence.

Your simplicity and love allow all of us to get into the deepest state of Buddha Nature.

Infinite gratitude!

Over the course of the years, we have shared and discussed so many Buddhist teachings, and have studied and meditated deeply into the roots of the Buddha’s messages for humanity.

And I hope we will continue doing so.

Again, my brother, happy 85th Anniversary.