The Spiritual Heritage from Forest to City: The Transmission and Development of Meditation Practices from Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta Mahathera to Luang Phor Viriyang Sirintharo

Abstract

      This article presents the development of meditation practices from Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta Mahathera (1870–1949) to Luang Phor Viriyang Sirintharo (1919–2020). The author analyzes the transmission of core practices and how Luang Por Viriyang adapted them to align with the lifestyle of contemporary society. It was found that Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatta Mahathera laid the foundation for meditation practice by emphasizing strict adherence to monastic discipline (Vinaya), forest wandering (tudong), and direct practice aimed at attaining Nirvana. His method involved focusing on five key mental bases, using the "Buddho" mantra alongside breathing, and alternating between walking meditation and seated meditation. Luang Phor Viriyang Sirintharo inherited and further developed these practices by adapting them to modern life, ensuring that both individuals and society could benefit. His approach allowed laypeople, who had work and family responsibilities, to integrate meditation seamlessly into daily life. To make the practice more accessible, he streamlined the method by reducing the number of mental bases to three key points and modifying the meditation technique to be independent of breath control. These adjustments made it easier for practitioners to attain concentration (samadhi) more quickly while preserving the essence of Luang Pu Mun’s teachings. As a result, meditation practice expanded widely, particularly among laypeople and urban communities, meeting the needs of contemporary society while maintaining the core principles of traditional meditation practice.