Biography of Venerable Luang Pu Kassapa Muni
Luang Pu recounted that his grandfathers were Phraya Phusamala (the elder) and Chao Phraya Mahinthrasakthamrong (the younger). Originally from Kamphaeng Phet Province, both entered royal service during the reign of King Rama IV. They served within the Grand Palace in the Department of Royal Garments and Regalia and the Royal Ablution and Anointing Division. They were the respective progenitors of the Arpornsiri and Phenkun lineages.
Because of his family’s long-standing and intimate ties to the Monarchy, Luang Pu developed a profound loyalty to every King and member of the Royal Family. This devotion was especially deep toward King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V). To this day, a wood-carved likeness of His Majesty stands before Luang Pu’s monastic dwelling—a lasting testament to his unwavering reverence and spiritual connection. This same loyalty and high esteem extended to the Heir Apparent and all members of the Royal Household throughout his life.
Education ; Luang Pu began his formal education at Bangkok Christian College. After a short period, he transferred to Assumption College in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok. He chose English as his elective subject and eventually completed the highest level of secondary education available at the time—Matthayom 6 (also known as Standard 7)—in 1928, at the age of 19.
Venerable Luang Pu Kassapa Muni was born in Bangkok, Thailand. His lay name prior to ordination was Prajongvas; it was later changed to Prayuthi Voravuthi. His family name was Arpornsiri. His father was Praphahiratthaphibun (Prawat Arpornsiri), and his mother was Mrs. Phahiratthaphibun (Phuean Arpornsiri). Luang Pu was the second of three sons. His elder brother, Prapaiwong, bore a name that rhymed with his own, Prajongvas, while the youngest was Prasatsilpa. All three brothers have since passed away; the youngest died one year after Luang Pu’s own passing. Before entering the monastic life, he was married to Mrs. Prachumsri Arpornsiri, with whom he had four children: two sons and two daughters.
Upon completing his secondary education, Luang Pu—who possessed an excellent command of both spoken and written English—applied for a position at the Windsor Company, a British firm. However, he worked there for only one to two weeks before his father learned of this. His father disapproved and required him to resign.
His father then directed him to apply to the Revenue Department of the Ministry of Finance instead. When asked about the reason for his father’s opposition, Luang Pu replied with a smile that his father was a nationalist who wanted him to serve the Thai people and the country.
From that point onward, he entered government service. The Minister of Finance at the time was Phraya Chaiyotsombat, followed later by Luang Praditmanutham.
Luang Pu began his civil service career in 1928 as a clerk at the Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance, earning a monthly salary of 30 baht. His primary responsibility was monitoring daily revenue records. In 1934, he was appointed Secretary of the Tax Division within the same department. By 1940, through dedicated service, he rose through the ranks from a second-grade clerk to a third-class civil servant. He was later transferred to the Opium Revenue Division of the Excise Department, with his salary increasing to 80 baht.
At the end of 1940, he joined the Statistics and Correspondence Section under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry. By early 1944, he was promoted to a second-class civil servant and appointed Head of the Statistics Division, earning 140 baht.
By 1 December 1961, at the age of 52, Luang Pu grew weary of worldly life. Having dedicated five years to samadhi and insight meditation while still in office, he experienced a profound sense of peace and Dhamma-clarity. Despite being approved for the position of Deputy Director-General, he chose to forgo the promotion and resign three years ahead of his scheduled retirement to devote himself entirely to spiritual practice.
At the time of his resignation, after 36 years of service, his final salary was 2,500 baht. He requested his pension as a lump sum of 90,000 baht and transferred all his land and assets to his family as a final act of renunciation.
Following his resignation on 30 November 1961, he was ordained at Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon). Somdet Phra Wanrat (who later became the Supreme Patriarch) served as his preceptor, and Luang Pu Doo (Phra Ratchasangwarapimon) was his Dhamma teacher. He remained in the monkhood for the rest of his life.
Throughout his monastic life, he strictly adhered to the four ascetic practices (dhutanga):
Wearing robes made from discarded cloth (pamsukula).
Possessing only a single set of robes.
Collecting alms as a daily routine.
Dwelling in the forest as his monastery.
He maintained these rigorous practices until his final years. In 1988, shortly before the Rains Retreat, he insisted on going on his alms round despite heavy rain. This led to a severe chill and subsequent pneumonia. Luang Pu passed away peacefully on 11 August 1988, at nearly 80 years of age.