Ajahn Jumnien Seelasettho
Ajahn Jumnien is the abbot and founder of this amazing temple in the south of Thailand named, Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Thumsua or Tum Sua or Tham Seua).
Ajahn Jumnien (Jumnean) was born in a very small “Ban” or village, in southern Thailand called “Banasan”. Banasan is part of the Suratthani province which also includes the beautiful islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui. This small Thai village is located just south of Surat Thani town by about 40 km.
In the mid-1970’s Ajahn Jumnien started this small temple that has grown in size and status in Thailand as a result of Ajahn Jumnien’s wonderful presence and dedication to spreading the good word of Buddhism to Thais and foreigners alike.
- Monastic life. Ajahn Jumnien dedicated his life to Theravada Buddhism and became a monk. He practiced Vipassana meditation, a form of mindfulness meditation focused on observing the nature of reality.
- Discovery of the Tiger Cave. In the early 1970s, Ajahn Jumnien discovered a cave while meditating in the Khao Phanom mountain range near Krabi. He named it “Tham Suea” or “Tiger Cave” after witnessing tigers (leopards) roaming around it.
- Founding the Tiger Cave Temple. In 1975, Ajahn Jumnien established the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) around the cave. He began with a small meditation center but gradually expanded the temple complex to accommodate more monks and visitors.
- Development of the temple. Under Ajahn Jumnien’s guidance, the Tiger Cave Temple grew into a prominent spiritual center in Krabi. He built meditation huts, a Buddha image, and a long staircase leading to the top of the mountain.
- Contributions to Buddhism. Ajahn Jumnien played a significant role in promoting Theravada Buddhist practices in Thailand. He attracted many students and contributed to the growth of Vipassana meditation in the region.
- Legacy. Ajahn Jumnien’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Buddhist practitioners and visitors to the Tiger Cave Temple. The temple remains a popular pilgrimage site and a testament to his dedication to Buddhism.
Additional information:
- While the information about Ajahn Jumnien’s early life is limited, his contributions to the Tiger Cave Temple and Theravada Buddhism are undeniable.
- The temple continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, seeking spiritual guidance and a peaceful environment for meditation and reflection.
- Ajahn Jumnien’s legacy lives on in the teachings and practices of the Tiger Cave Temple, inspiring people to cultivate inner peace, mindfulness, and compassion.
Every year Aj. Jumnien travels abroad to America to teach special meditation classes to students of Jack Kornfield, a famous Western Buddhist author in the United States (California). There are many photos of Ajahn Jumnien visiting California and Chicago, Illinois to teach meditation courses.
See the Photo Gallery of Ajahn Jumnian’s Buddhist Temple
PHOTOS >
(Continuing to gather info for this page)