Billionaire’s heir shuns US$5bn fortune for life as forest monk
In a tale that sounds straight out of a spiritual bestseller, Ajahn Siripanyo, the only son of Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, turned his back on a US$5 billion inheritance to pursue the humble life of a Buddhist monk.
Ananda, one of Malaysia’s richest tycoons, oversees a sprawling empire that includes telecom, satellites, oil, real estate, and media. Yet his son, born into unimaginable privilege, made the startling decision at 18 to embrace a monastic path.
The South China Morning Post reported, “Ajahn Siripanyo’s choice was entirely his own, and it is respected within the family.”
Remarkably, Siripanyo’s lineage is even more storied: His mother, Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, is a descendant of the Thai royal family. Despite his noble and wealthy roots, Siripanyo began his spiritual journey during a temporary retreat in Thailand, which evolved into a lifelong commitment.
For over 20 years, he has lived as a forest monk, adhering to the Buddhist principles of simplicity and detachment from material possessions. Based at the serene Dtao Dum Monastery near the Thailand-Myanmar border, he relies solely on alms for sustenance, embodying a life far removed from the trappings of his billionaire heritage.
While his monastic life is profoundly ascetic, Siripanyo occasionally reconnects with his family, visiting his father and maintaining the Buddhist tenet of honouring familial ties. Educated in London alongside his sisters, he is fluent in eight languages, a testament to his global upbringing and intellectual depth.
His journey is often compared to fictional tales like “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,” but Siripanyo’s decision is all too real, a rare, inspiring narrative of rejecting material wealth for spiritual fulfilment. His story proves that true richness lies in purpose, not possessions, reported The Economic Times.
In related news, Thailand’s Public Diplomacy Award named three remarkable figures as this year’s recipients, the Thailand Foundation revealed on September 19. A revered monk, an iconic composer, and a leading cultural institution will be honoured for their monumental contributions to promoting Thai culture and values across the globe.
