Luang Phor Khong Chattamalo

Luang Pho Khong Jattamalo (หลวงพ่อคง จตฺตมโล; 10 March 1913 – 13 December 1993), born Khong Bunyake, also known as the "Arahant with the Golden Body" (พระอรหันต์ร่างทอง), was a prominent Thai Theravada Buddhist monk renowned for his vipassana meditation teachings. He is credited with developing the "Dhamma Opens the World" (Thammā Pĕd Loke or ธรรมะเปิดโลก) meditation method and reviving Wat Khao Samphot in Lopburi Province, which became a major center for meditation practice.

His preserved, undecayed body, enshrined in a glass coffin at the temple, is a focal point of veneration.

Early life

Khong Bunyake was born on 10 March 1913 (B.E. 2456) in Non Phut Sa Village, Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. His father, Dee Bunyake, and mother, Ngaem Bunyake, were farmers. He was the second of nine children.

He received basic education in Tai Tham script, Khmer script, and Thai script at a local temple for two years but left to help with family farming.

Monastic career

At age 20, Khong ordained as a novice and later as a monk, studying Pali for three vassa retreats. Unable to continue studies in Bangkok, he disrobed, married, and settled in Buayai, Nakhon Ratchasima, fathering seven daughters.

In 1961 (B.E. 2504), as a layman, he practiced vipassana under meditation master Phra Maha Thanitt Panyapaso at Wat Buayai for seven years.

On 12 May 1968 (B.E. 2511), he re-ordained at Wat Buayai's sima, with Phra Phutthayanmuni as preceptor.

After the 1973 (B.E. 2516) vassa, he undertook thudong (wandering asceticism), settling in the "Cave of the Arahant" at Khao Samphoch per a nimitta (meditation sign). This site became Wat Khao Samphot in 1982 (B.E. 2525).

Meditation teachings

Luang Pho Khong taught strict Vipassana kammatthana. He founded the World Opening Dhamma meditation tradition (กรรมฐานธรรมะเปิดโลก), where practitioners observe bodily pains (e.g., headache) to visualize past-life karma causing them—such as harming others in a previous existence. Practitioners then cultivate metta and forgive to sever karmic cycles, "opening" insight into the three worlds via personal karma.

This method, accessible to laypeople, drew thousands to Wat Khao Samphoch.

Death and legacy

Luang Pho Khong died peacefully on 13 December 1993 (B.E. 2536) at Siriraj Hospital, aged 80.

His body remained undecayed with a golden hue, enshrined in a glass coffin, earning him the title "Arahant Golden Body."

Wat Khao Samphoch remains a key meditation center offering retreats, vegetarian food, and natural caves.

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