LP Maha Sila

Luang Pu Sila Siri Janto (LP Maha Sila): Thai Monk of Simplicity, Wisdom, and Meditation

Early Life and Monastic Calling

Luang Pu Sila Siri Janto, widely known as LP Maha Sila, was born on October 14, 1945, in Surin Province, northeastern Thailand. Born into a humble farming family, his life was marked from the beginning by a quiet determination and spiritual curiosity. In 1951, his family moved to Ban That, and by 1954, they settled in Roi Et Province, his mother’s hometown.

At just 12 years old, he ordained as a novice monk at Wat That Pratthap in Rattanaburi, starting a lifelong journey of spiritual development and meditation.

Spiritual Training and Teachings

During his early monastic years, LP Maha Sila participated in pilgrimages and received teachings from prominent monks, including the revered Luang Phu Khao. These experiences shaped his deep commitment to meditation, chanting, and scriptural study, which would become the foundation of his teachings.

After full ordination, he continued studying Theravāda Buddhist texts and developed a disciplined meditation practice. His teachings focus on:

• Mindfulness in daily life

• Self-discipline and simplicity

• Compassion and moral conduct

• The preservation of Buddhist heritage and rituals

He later moved to Bangkok and became involved in temple development and religious education across several provinces.

Influence and Spiritual Legacy

LP Maha Sila gained wide respect not through fame or miracle stories, but through his consistency, humility, and wisdom. He dedicated his life to helping people cultivate inner peace and moral clarity, especially through daily meditation and reflection.

While he is not primarily known for producing amulets, certain items blessed by him—such as images, cloths, or small talismans—are cherished by followers as reminders of his peaceful energy and teachings.

His influence lives on through the monks he trained, the temples he helped develop, and the laypeople who were inspired by his devotion and simplicity.