Kruba Kasem Khemako

Phra Kasem Khemako
Wax figure of Luang Pho Kasem at the Thai Human Imagery Museum
Title	Luang Pho Kasem
Personal life
Born	(1912-11-28)28 November 1912 Lampang Province, Siam
Died	15 January 1996(1996-01-15) (aged 83) Lampang Hospital, Lampang Province, Thailand
Nationality	Thai
Parent(s)	Chao Noi Nu Maniarun Chao Mae Bua Chon Na Lampang
Occupation	Buddhist monk
Religious life
Religion	Buddhism
School	Theravāda
Sect	Mahanikaya
Dharma names	Khemako
Ordination	1932 (full ordination) 1925 (novice)
Senior posting
Based in	Sualak Tri Laksana Cemetery (Trilak Cemetery), Lampang Province

Luang Pho Kasem Khemako (หลวงพ่อเกษม เขมโก) or Kruba Chao Kasem (born Chao Kasem Na Lampang) was a revered Thai Theravāda monk and Geji Ajahn renowned for his strict ascetic practices, solitary lifestyle, and unwavering discipline in dhutanga. He was highly venerated by Buddhists in Lampang Province and across Thailand, being regarded as one of the most respected elder monks of the nation. He also descended from the Chet Ton dynasty of Lanna in Northern Thailand.

Biography

Luang Pho Kasem Khemako was born as Chao Kasem Na Lampang on November 28, 1912 (Wednesday, Year of the Rat, R.S. 131). He was the son of Chao Noi Nu Na Lampang (later known as Maniarun), a district official, and Chao Mae Bua Chon Na Lampang. He was a great-grandson of Chao Boonyawat Wongmanit, the last ruler of Lampang.

As a child, he was known to be mischievous. On one occasion he fell from a guava tree, leaving a scar on his head. At the age of 13, he was first ordained as a novice in a funeral ordination ceremony (บวชหน้าไฟ) at Wat Pa Dua for 7 days before leaving the robes. At age 15, he ordained again as a novice at Wat Bunyuen, Lampang. He pursued Buddhist studies, passing the intermediate level of Dhamma exams in 1931. In 1932, he was ordained as a monk by Phra Thammajindanayok (Fai), abbot of Wat Bunyawat Vihara and then ecclesiastical head of Lampang, receiving the monastic name Khemako, meaning “one possessing serenity.”

Kasem studied Pali language at Wat Sri Lom and later continued his monastic studies at Wat Chiang Rai. In 1936, he passed the highest level of the Dhamma exams (Nak Tham Ek). He mastered Pali composition and translation but refused to seek titles, explaining that his learning was solely for deepening his understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, not for gaining ecclesiastical rank.

After completing his studies, he sought meditation masters, eventually becoming a disciple of the famous meditation master Kruba Kaen Sumano. He followed his teacher into the forests, practicing meditation during wandering ascetic travels (Dhutanga). During the rainy retreats, he returned to Wat Bunyuen, resuming Dhutanga afterward.

When the abbot of Wat Bunyuen, Chao Athikan Khum Meuy, died, the Sangha council unanimously chose Phra Kasem Khemako as the new abbot. Though reluctant, he accepted out of duty to preserve the Dhamma. Later, however, he renounced the position multiple times, longing for solitude and Dhutanga practice. Finally, he resigned and went to Suan Wang Than, leaving a written resignation behind.

Luang Pho Kasem dedicated his life to meditation and ascetic practice at Trailak Cemetery in Lampang. He lived in extreme simplicity, observing pure discipline, detached from all worldly concerns. His reputation spread nationwide, and even King Bhumibol Adulyadej held him in high regard, personally visiting him several times—the last occasion being on March 15, 1993.

On January 15, 1996, at 7:40 pm, Luang Pho Kasem died in the ICU of Lampang Hospital at the age of 83. Remarkably, his body did not decompose like ordinary remains, further inspiring deep faith among his followers. In keeping with his humility, he requested that those paying respects bow only once with hands in prayer, without performing full prostrations.

Gallery

• 
  Birth record of Kruba Chao Kasem Khemako
• 
  Chao Noi Nu Maniarun, father of Kruba Kasem
• 
  Chao Mae Bua Chon Na Lampang, mother of Kruba Kasem (daughter of Chao Mae Sri Nuan Na Lampang and Chao Chai Kaew)
• 
  Statue of Luang Pho Kasem Khemako at Trilak Cemetery, Lampang
• 
  Meditation hall at Trilak Cemetery, Lampang

Ancestry

Family of Kruba Kasem Khemako
Chao Mae Noi 2. Chao Noi Nu Maniarun 1. Luang Pho Kasem Khemako Chao Chai Kaew 3. Chao Mae Bua Chon Na Lampang 28. Chao Worayan Rangsi 14. Chao Naranan Chaichawalit 7. Chao Mae Sri Nuan Na Lampang Chao Mae Kab Kham