Achan Da Nilpant

Redding Meditation Society Abbot

Achan Da Nilpant has taught meditation for over 25 years and is the abbot of the Redding Meditation Society. He was one of enlightened monk Luangpor Teean Jittasubho’s closest students.

After three years of working on the farm with his parents, he returned to monkhood. His parents approved his decision, and he was ordained at Supararam Forest Monastery in 1971. After hearing many recommendations from practitioners, Achan Da pursued Luangpor Teean but didn’t find and meet him for two years. He studied under Luangpor Teean’s guidance for three years and practiced patiently and diligently, step by step, through the stages of the practice until he reached the end of suffering.

He was born in Nonsawang village, Roiet Province, in Northeast Thailand, on August 16, 1951. After finishing elementary school, he became a novice monk for five years. He disrobed at 17 when his parents moved from Roiet to Nakonpanom. He worked on their farm planting rice and other crops, but they struggled to survive. He was always innocent, friendly, generous, patient, and sincere. He didn’t like to fight and was always polite and respectful to other people.

Luangpor Teean encouraged Achan Da to teach throughout Thailand, and they worked together until Teean died in 1988. Achan Da made his first visit to America in 1993 and continues to teach here.