Phar Ajaan Plien Pantapatipo was born on November 16, 1933, at Sawang Dandin District, Sakol-nakorn in the Northeast of Thailand. At eleven years old, he finished grade 4, quit the school and helped his parents keep shop. He wanted to enter priesthood at the age of twelve. His dream came true in 1959 when he was 25 years old, for he entered the monkhood at Wat Meechai in his home town.
After the first end of Buddhist Lent, he started his pilgrimage in various parts of Thailand. He practised Dhamma with a number of monks. Those whom he had spent longer time with are Luangpu Phrom Jirapunyo, Luangpu Tes Tesrangsri, Luangpu Tue Ajaladhammo and Luangpu Waen Sunjino.
Phar Ajaan Plien is monk of highly regarded virtue with a nice and neat manner and full of charitable mind. He is eceptionally capable of preaching Dhamma to both Thais and foreigners. He has been invited to disseminate Dhamma to various countries in Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand.
At present, Phar Ajaan Plien Panyapatipo is the abbot of Wat Aranyawiwake (Baan Pong), Maetang District, Chiangmai which is in the north of Thailand. This Wat is a “Wat Paa” or a Wat of forest-dwelling monks. It is calm and peaceful, hence good for practicing Dhamma. Wat Aranyawiwake welcomes all interested in Dhamma practice.