EAP326/16/2/6

Pha Phoui Thirachitto (1925-2005), Abbot of Vat Maha That Raxaborvolaviharn.Biography: Pha Phoui was born on 11th day of waning moon of 5th month of Lao calendar B.E.2468, corresponds to April 18, 1925, at Ban Vat That, Luang Prabang at the son of Mr.Ajan Phoumy Sayasit and Mrs. Khampeng. He was ordained as a Buddhist novice at the age of 11, at Vat Long Khun, Chomphet district, Luang Prabang province, under the Pha Ajan Somchin was his preceptor. In 1941, he moved from Vat Long Khoun to Vat Mai Suvannaphumaram to study at Buddhist secondary school at Vat Si Phutthabat and study Buddhist fine arts at Vat Mai Suvannaphumaram. He was ordained as a monk on July 3, 1946 at Vat Mai Suvannaphumaram, under the venerable Pha Khamfan Silasangvara Maha Thela , Abbot of Vat Suvannakhili was his preceptor, Pha Thong Dhammadhinno of Vat Meun Na Xomphu Aham and Pha Khamchan Virachitta Maha Thela of Vat Saen Sukharam were his prayers, under the high patronage from Somdet Pha Sangkhalat Dhammayana Maha Thela (Bunthan Bupharat) of Vat Mai Suvannaphumaram was his faith. After his monk’s ordination, he had taught at Buddhist secondary school for two years and then he was retired. In 1966, he moved from Vat Mai to Vat Maha That, according to an invitation of Pha Bunthan Thitapunya Maha Thela/Rathikun , Abbot of Vat Maha That and villagers of Ban Vat That to help monastic work of Vat Maha That because at the same time, Sim of Vat Maha That was being constructed. In 1967,Pha Bunthan Thitapunya Maha Thela/Rathikun , Abbot of Vat Maha that died, Pha Phoui was appointed to be an abbot instead of Pha Bunthan. Then he was nominated to be Chao Khana Tasaeng (chief-monk of Buddhist Group) of Vat That, member of the provincial Buddhist Sangha and Vice president of the provincial Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Luang Prabang. He had continued the construction of Sim of Vat Maha That until it was completed. He also published many books such as history of Visakha Boucha and Makha Boucha, Buddhism belief, What is Buddhism, Play of life, Necessity of human being and One part of life etc. He passed away on December 17, 2005, at the age of 80, 7 months and 29 days. He had continued to build a Sim of Vat Maha That until it was completed. His publications are Buddhist ceremony of Visakha and Makha Bouja, Belief in Buddhism, What is the Buddhism?, A play of life, Necessity of human, and A part of life...etc

Original material consist of: silver gelatine DOP print