This 18-year-old Malaysian man turns into monk ditching 5 billion dollar fortune
28 Nov 2024 3:51 PM IST
Ven Ajahn Siripanyo (Image/X)
The heir of Malaysia's Third richest person, whose net worth is more than 5 billion US dollars (Rs 40,000 crore) renounced his wealth to become a monk.
Ven Ajahn Siripanyo is the son of Malaysian telecom tycoon Ananda Krishnan, Malaysia's third richest person. His empire incorporates, satellites, telecommunications, real estate, oil, and gas.
He is also the former owner of Aircel, and even sponsored IPL team Chennai Super Kings once, led by MS Dhoni.
While his father is an eminent businessperson, his mother, Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, has ties with the Thai Royal Family.
Ven Ajahn Siripanyo decided to renounce his wealth at the age of 18, in spite of his father's immense wealth, as per a report by South China Post.
His decision to embrace monasticism is highly appreciated by his father who is a devout Buddhist and philanthropist.
When Ven. Ajahn Siripanyo was 18, he traveled to Thailand to visit his mother's family and decided to temporarily ordain at a retreat out of curiosity. However, the experience profoundly changed his life, leading him to embrace monasticism permanently.
After 20 years, he is now serving as a forest monk and the abbot of Dtao Dum Monastery, located near the Thailand-Myanmar border.
However, very little is known about Ven. Ajahn Siripanyo's reasons for becoming a monk, but he is said to wholeheartedly embrace a simple life, including the daily practice of alms-seeking, the reports stated.
Details about Siripanyo are also scarce but it is known that he grew up in the UK with his two sisters and studied there.
Sipriyano speaks fluently in eight languages due to his diverse background among which he speaks English, Thai, and Tamil according to South China Post.
Interestingly, Siripanyo occasionally returns to his previous lifestyle when needed. He prioritizes visiting his father, sometimes traveling in luxury, reflecting Buddhism's emphasis on familial love. For example, he was once spotted taking a private jet to meet Krishnan in Italy. He also participated in a spiritual retreat on Penang Hill, which his father later purchased for his convenience.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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