Khruba Noi Yanwichai

Khruba Noi Yanwichai
Portrait of Khruba Noi at Wat Tham Chetawan
TitleKhruba
Personal life
BornNatthawut
(1989-03-25)25 March 1989
Na Noi district, Nan province, Thailand
Died31 August 2023(2023-08-31) (aged 34)
Wat Tham Chetawan, Na Noi district, Nan province, Thailand
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
TempleWat Tham Chetawan
SchoolTheravada
Dharma nameYanwichayo (ญาณวิชชโย)
Ordination13 December 2009
Senior posting
TeacherKhruba Boonchum

Khruba Noi Yanwichai (also romanized Kruba Noi Yanwichai; Thai: ครูบาน้อย ญาณวิไชย; 25 March 1989 – 31 August 2023), born Natthawut, was a Thai Theravada Buddhist monk of the khruba (Lan Na) tradition in northern Thailand. He developed the Buddhist site at Tham Chetawan in Na Noi district, Nan province, into what became Wat Tham Chetawan (Thai: วัดถ้ำเชตวัน), and attracted national media attention during and after a solitary cave retreat there lasting three years, three months and three days (2014–2017).[1][2][3]

His ascetic practices, including the hair he left uncut throughout the retreat, drew public debate in Thailand. He died in 2023, aged 34, leaving handwritten aphorisms later reported in the national press and a testament that directed an austere funeral with cremation on the day of his death.

Early life and monastic formation

Khruba Noi was born on 25 March 1989 in the Na Noi district of Nan province, the fourth of five children.[4] His lay name was Natthawut, recorded in contemporary press coverage as "Khruba Noi Natthawut Yanwichai".[5][3] He was ordained as a novice on 25 March 2002 at Wat Na Daeng.[4][2]

According to a biography published by Thai PBS, his religious training took him from his home temple to Wat Benchamabophit in Bangkok for scriptural study, then to the monk Khruba In at Wat San Pa Yang Luang and to Wat Huai Bong in Li district, Lamphun province, and finally to the forest monk Khruba Boonchum, whose disciple he became.[2] PPTV likewise described him as a disciple of Khruba Boonchum.[6] He received full ordination as a bhikkhu on 13 December 2009 at Wat Santha in Na Noi district, taking the Pali ordination name Yanwichayo (ญาณวิชชโย; Ñāṇavijjayo); he is generally known by the form Yanwichai (ญาณวิไชย).[4][2]

Before establishing Wat Tham Chetawan, Khruba Noi took part in building Wat Phra That Si Sangkharatnakhiri (วัดพระธาตุศรีสังฆรัตนคีรี) in Na Noi district; its foundation stone was laid on 14 May 2007. A government tourism directory, as well as Komchadluek and Thai PBS, credit him with the work.[7][8][2]

Wat Tham Chetawan and the cave retreat

Around 2012–2013 Khruba Noi developed a Buddhist site, known as Phutthasathan Tham Chetawan (พุทธสถานถ้ำเชตวัน), around a group of caves in Santha subdistrict, Na Noi district.[9][10][7] The complex includes a Lan Na-style vihara, a large assembly hall, monks' quarters, a 15-metre (49 ft) reclining Buddha, a white-jade Buddha image, natural caves and a museum.[11][1] It is also known locally as Wat Khruba Noi (วัดครูบาน้อย).[1] In 2025, Daily News credited Khruba Noi with transforming a previously neglected area into a Buddhist site and meditation centre.[1] The site was formally registered as a temple (wat), under the name Wat Tham Chetawan, by Thailand's National Office of Buddhism on 28 February 2023.[12][10]

From 12 July 2014 to 15 October 2017 Khruba Noi undertook a solitary retreat in one of the caves lasting three years, three months and three days.[2][13] During a multi-site enforcement operation in May 2015, district officials asked the temple committee to open the barred entrance to the cave. The request was refused, and about 1,000 Na Noi residents gathered outside the district office, accusing the officials of disturbing Khruba Noi's retreat and demanding their transfer. The officials denied attempting a forced entry and agreed to seek reassignment.[14][15]

In November 2016, while he was still in retreat, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and members of the Pheu Thai Party held a kathina robe-offering ceremony at the temple; the daily Matichon reported that he communicated only by written notes and returned her monetary offering.[5]

Emergence from retreat and public debate

He emerged from the retreat on 15 October 2017, with large crowds gathering to receive him; the event attracted national media coverage.[16] His years of unshaven hair and prolonged silence drew public debate.[3] The monk Phra Maha Praiwan Worawanno argued that such practices had no basis in Buddhist doctrine.[17] In an interview given days after his emergence, Khruba Noi said his hair had simply grown uncut in isolation, that he was naturally beardless, and denied claiming any supernatural powers.[18] Days later he shaved his head and, at an alms round, had monetary offerings returned to donors.[19] The independent Buddhist studies scholar Chaturong Chong-asa held that leaving the hair uncut and taking a prolonged vow of silence breached monastic discipline,[20] and the monk Phra Phayom Kalayano called his self-mortification excessive and urged him to follow the Middle Way.[21] His mother, saddened by accusations of deception, responded that her son had wished to enter the monkhood since childhood.[22]

Teachings

Shortly before his death, Khruba Noi spoke on the theme of "real life" (chiwit ching) at the "We bring the temple to 7-Eleven" event (เรายกวัดมาไว้ที่เซเว่นฯ); the daily Khaosod published excerpts from the talk.[23] In it he compared life to the shifting scenes of a stage play, taught that fortune and misfortune follow from one's own kamma rather than from gods or planets, and described existence as an alternation of opposites in which "the future of 'having' is 'losing'".[23] MGR Online reported a collection of 156 handwritten aphorisms spanning 49 pages, including "a life without Māra does not become a great legend" (ชีวิตไม่มีมาร ก็ไม่เป็นตำนานอันยิ่งใหญ่).[24]

Death

Khruba Noi died in the early hours of 31 August 2023 at Wat Tham Chetawan, aged 34. Thai news reports gave the cause as heart failure;[4][8] according to the business daily Thansettakij, he had a longstanding heart-valve condition and had refused hospital treatment as his health worsened.[25] He had written a testament on 30 May 2023 that directed an austere funeral—no washing or dressing of the body, no autopsy, cremation within a single day, no fundraising and no commercial use of his image—and left the temple's property to the temple itself, under the governance of its abbot, Phra Achan Chalong, and the temple committee; he was cremated the same day as his death.[26][27]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 เดินทางขึ้นเหนือฟังเรื่องเล่าชุมชนเก่า [Travelling north to hear stories of old communities]. Daily News (in Thai). 18 May 2025. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 เส้นทางธุดงควัตร "ครูบาน้อย" เกจิดังเมืองน่าน [The thudong path of "Khruba Noi", a renowned monk of Nan]. Thai PBS (in Thai). 2 September 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026. ครูบาน้อยเริ่มปฏิบัติธรรมโดยปลีกวิเวกตัดขาดจากโลกภายนอก ณ วัดถ้ำเชตะวัน ต.สันทะ อ.นาน้อย ตั้งแต่วันที่ 12 ก.ค.2557 - 15 ต.ค.2560 [Khruba Noi began practising in seclusion, cut off from the outside world, at Wat Tham Chetawan, Santha subdistrict, Na Noi, from 12 July 2014 to 15 October 2017]
  3. 1 2 3 มองต่างมุม พระหนุ่มผมยาว 'ครูบาน้อย' เข้าถ้ำไม่ออก 3 ปี มีอะไรในกอไผ่! [A different view: the long-haired young monk "Khruba Noi", three years in the cave without coming out]. Thairath (in Thai). 19 October 2017. Archived from the original on 19 November 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 ประวัติ "ครูบาน้อย" พระเกจิดังที่ชาวเหนือเคารพนับถือ [Biography of "Khruba Noi", a renowned monk revered by northerners]. Sanook (in Thai). 1 September 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  5. 1 2 'ยิ่งลักษณ์'ควงพี่สาวทอดกฐิน พุทธสถานถ้ำเชตะวัน จ.น่าน ปชช.รุมให้กำลังใจ'ครูบาสมจิต'เดินนำเงินมามอบเพื่อสู้คดี [Yingluck and her sister offer kathina at Phutthasathan Tham Chetawan, Nan; citizens crowd to give encouragement, and 'Khruba Somchit' brings money for her legal fight]. Matichon (in Thai). 13 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2026. น.ส.ยิ่งลักษณ์ ได้ถวายซองปัจจัยให้แก่ครูบาน้อย แต่ครูบาน้อยยืนส่งคืนกลับมาให้ ... เพื่อเอาไปซื้อข้าวช่วยชาวนา [Ms Yingluck presented an envelope of money to Khruba Noi, but Khruba Noi returned it ... so that it be used to buy rice to help the farmers]
  6. ↑ เปิดประวัติ "ครูบาน้อย" พระดังเมืองน่าน ลูกศิษย์ "ครูบาบุญชุ่ม" [The biography of "Khruba Noi", a famous monk of Nan, disciple of "Khruba Boonchum"]. PPTV HD 36 (in Thai). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 พุทธสถานถ้ำเชตวัน [Phutthasathan Tham Chetawan]. Thailand Tourism Directory (in Thai). Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Archived from the original on 4 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  8. 1 2 สิ้น 'ครูบาน้อย ญาณวิไชย' วัดถ้ำเชตวัน เมืองน่าน [Death of Khruba Noi Yanwichai of Wat Tham Chetawan, Nan]. Komchadluek (in Thai). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  9. ↑ รำลึก "ครูบาน้อย" เยือน "วัดถ้ำเชตวัน" อันซีนแห่งใหม่ใน จ.น่าน [Remembering "Khruba Noi": visiting Wat Tham Chetawan, a new unseen site of Nan]. MGR Online (in Thai). 4 September 2023. Archived from the original on 9 November 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  10. 1 2 วัดถ้ำเชตวัน ที่เที่ยวน่าน วัดสวยท่ามกลางหุบเขา ณ อำเภอนาน้อย [Wat Tham Chetawan, a Nan attraction: a beautiful temple amid the valley in Na Noi district]. Kapook (in Thai). 30 August 2023. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  11. ↑ อันซีน ‘น่าน’ โซนใต้ แอ่วเมืองสวรรค์นักปฏิบัติธรรม ชมหัตถกรรมผ้าพื้นถิ่นชุมชนแดนเหนือ [Unseen southern Nan: visit a haven for Dhamma practitioners and northern community handicrafts]. Thairath (in Thai). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  12. ↑ ทะเบียนวัด: วัดถ้ำเชตวัน (รหัสวัด 66155040001) [Temple registry: Wat Tham Chetawan (temple code 66155040001)] (in Thai). National Office of Buddhism. Archived from the original on 9 November 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  13. ↑ ครูบาน้อย จ.น่าน ละสังขารอายุ 34 ปี เขียนพินัยกรรมให้ "ถวายเพลิง" เลย [Khruba Noi of Nan dies at 34, his testament ordering immediate cremation]. Thairath (in Thai). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  14. ↑ คนนาน้อยเดือด! ฮือไล่ นอภ.-ปลัด หลังบุกถ้ำเชตะวัน "ครูบาน้อย" ชี้เหยียบย่ำศรัทธา [Na Noi residents in uproar, driving out the district chief after the intrusion at "Khruba Noi's" Chetawan cave]. MGR Online (in Thai). 12 May 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  15. ↑ ชาวน่านต้านค้นถ้ำเชตะวันรบกวนครูบาน้อย [Nan residents oppose a search of Chetawan Cave that would disturb Khruba Noi]. Post Today (in Thai). 12 May 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  16. ↑ พลังศรัทธา...ชาวน่านแห่รับ ครูบาน้อย หลังจำพรรษาในถ้ำมืด นานกว่า 3 ปี [Power of faith: Nan people flock to receive Khruba Noi after over three years in the dark cave]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026 – via Kapook.
  17. ↑ ดึงสติ ! พระมหาไพรวัลย์ ยันพฤติการณ์ ครูบาน้อย ไม่ใช่หลักพุทธ [Come to your senses! Phra Maha Paiwan insists Khruba Noi's conduct is not Buddhist practice]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 17 October 2017. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2026 – via Kapook.
  18. ↑ ครูบาน้อย เปิดใจ..เหตุใดอยู่ถ้ำ 3 ปี แต่ไร้หนวดเครา พร้อมแจงปมไม่ตัดผม [Khruba Noi explains why, after three years in the cave, he has no beard, and clarifies the unshaven hair]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 18 October 2017. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2026 – via Kapook.
  19. ↑ เผยภาพ ครูบาน้อย ปลงผมเกลี้ยงหลังออกถ้ำ-ชาวบ้านแห่รอใส่บาตรยกหมู่บ้าน [Khruba Noi shaves his head after leaving the cave; villagers gather for alms]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2026 – via Kapook.
  20. ↑ นักวิชาการยัน ครูบาน้อย อาบัติ ชี้ เป็นถึงพระมหาแต่ขัดพระพุทธเจ้า !? [Scholar insists Khruba Noi committed a monastic offence: even a Phra Maha, yet contrary to the Buddha!?]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 October 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2026 – via Kapook.
  21. ↑ พระพยอม ชี้ ครูบาน้อยสุดโต่ง ไม่ปลงผม-ทรมานตนเกินควร แนะเดินสายกลาง [Phra Phayom says Khruba Noi is extreme, urges the Middle Way]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 21 October 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026 – via Kapook.
  22. ↑ แม่ครูบาน้อยเสียใจ ถูกคนกล่าวหาหลอกลวง เผย ลูกชายอยากบวชตั้งแต่เด็ก [Khruba Noi's mother, saddened by accusations of deception, says her son wished to ordain since childhood]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 22 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2026 – via Kapook.
  23. 1 2 ข้อคิด'ครูบาน้อยวัด ถ้ำเชตวัน' ในเวที'เรายกวัดมาไว้ที่เซเว่นฯ' [Reflections of Khruba Noi of Wat Tham Chetawan at the "We bring the temple to 7-Eleven" event]. Khaosod (in Thai). 24 October 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  24. ↑ มรดกคำสอน "ครูบาน้อย" ชีวิตไม่มีมาร ก็ไม่เป็นตำนานอันยิ่งใหญ่ [The teaching legacy of "Khruba Noi": a life without Mara becomes no great legend]. MGR Online (in Thai). 4 September 2023. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  25. ↑ สิ้น 'ครูบาน้อย ญาณวิไชย' มรณภาพอายุ 34 ปี สาเหตุหัวใจล้มเหลว [Death of 'Khruba Noi Yanwichai', dead at 34 of heart failure]. Thansettakij (in Thai). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026. สมัยตอนเด็กครูบาน้อยได้มีรอยโรคเดิมคือลิ้นหัวใจรั่ว จนก่อนหน้าครูบาน้อยได้ล้มป่วย อ่อนแรงแต่ไม่ยอมไปพักรักษาตัวที่โรงพยาบาล [Since childhood Khruba Noi had a pre-existing condition, a leaking heart valve; before his death he fell ill and grew weak, but refused to be admitted to hospital for treatment]
  26. ↑ ลูกศิษย์อาลัย 'ครูบาน้อย ญาณวิไชย' มรณภาพอายุ 34 ปี เขียนพินัยกรรมให้ถวายเพลิงค่ำวันนี้ [Disciples mourn Khruba Noi Yanwichai, dead at 34; his testament orders cremation this evening]. Thai Post (in Thai). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  27. ↑ เปิดรายละเอียดพินัยกรรม 'ครูบาน้อย ญาณวิไชย' สั่งเสียลูกศิษย์ก่อนละสังขาร [The details of Khruba Noi Yanwichai's testament, his last instructions to his disciples]. Thai Post (in Thai). 1 September 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
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