Biography
Phrakroo Dhammatorn Sopon Dhammasophano or better known as “Luangpor Dhammangam” was born on Saturday, August 28, 1954. His father was from the Republic of China; later got married to his mother who was born in Bangkok and lived in Songkhla afterwards. Their parents have eight children with their new family name “Samritsirikul.”
Now only Luangpor Dhammangam lives in Thailand meanwhile his parents and all his brothers and sisters live in the United States of America. As a monk, he prefers to wander around Thailand’s Natural Parks in all regions rather than live in the capital.
Education
Luangpor Dhammangam studied Por 1 in Songkhla and continued Por 2-7 in Bangkok at Prasert Wittaya (closed). He finished high school from Santirat Bamrung (maths & science program), Bangkok and worked as an assistant to a librarian during his study. He participated in Japanese products protests when he studied a Bachelor of Business Administration in the Faculty of Economics at Kasetsart University (KU 33). He was also an activist in “Red Arm Unit – Phrapirun Unit” from October 14, 1973 until the doomsday October 6, 1976 when Thammasat University was attacked. Unfortunately, he had to escape to Israel and studied a Master’s Degree at Tel Aviv University later on.
One day he had a car accident and it rolled over four times…, but he was still alive and totally believed that was a glory of the Triple Gem in Buddhism. Therefore he came back to study Dhamma after a short-term work in Saudi Arabia.(He said the rest of his life after that car accident was a profit; if he died that day, it was “break-even.” So he decided to become a monk, finally.)
Monkhood life
He entered the monkhood when he was 20, as a tradition of Buddhist Thai males, for two months and two days. Later, he was one of “KU’s Daokrajui Country Band” named “Hiew Hor Haeng,” together with working as a speaker of Bangkhen KU’s Radio station and of Suan Migawan’s Radio Station 630. Again, he became a Buddhist monk (Dhammayuttika Nikaya) when he was 28 at Wat Rachathiwat, Dusit District, Bangkok.
· Phra Dhamwaraporn (Perm Arpako) was his “Preceptor”.
· Phra Kroo Yarnwirot was his “Act Announcing Teacher”.
· Phra Kroo Wiriyathikarn was his “Second Ordination teacher
Afterwards, he was on pilgrimage to several places like national parks in Chiang Mai, Utai Thani, and others in four regions (north, south, east, and west). He, then, found a tranquil place in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and practiced his meditation intensely until he entered into the Fourth Absorption.
Meditation Practice
Luangpor Dhammangam learned meditation from the four well-known senior monks in the north and northeast as follows: Luangpoo Wan in Chiang Mai, Luangpoo Sim in Chiang Mai, Luangpoo Test Testrungsi in Nong Khai, and Luangpoo Maha Bua Yannasumpanno in Udon Thani. He also attended “Dhamma Thayat Training Program” from Luangpor Panya, Chonpratan Rungsarit Temple, learned “Speaking Techniques” from Phra Payorm Kanlayano, Suankaew Temple, and participated in “Anapanasati (as is practiced in the context of mindfulness) for the Public” program at Suan Mokkh with Buddhadasa Bhikkhu when he was alive.
Luangpor Dhammangam obtained a title as “Phra Khroo Dhammatorn” on February 14, 2008.
Apparently, many people recognize Luangpor Dhammangam as “Phra Siwalee” in Rattanakosin era. This means after they make merit with Luangpor for at least three times, they will be lucky like getting something as they make a wish, winning a lottery, getting more money from running business, etc.
อะไร 
