Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Dhamma Ko Sara (Ngem Ontapaño) "Bhikkhu Buddha" is a monk who has been honored by UNESCO as a globally important figure as of 2006. He was formerly known as Ngeng and took on the name Panich when he became a monk. He used the Dharma to lead society. Panich was a resident of Chaiya District, Surat Thani, the son of Mr. Chiang Nang Moe. His father was of Chinese descent and he had two younger siblings, Mr. Thamtas Panich and Mrs. Kim Choi Maekul.

Panich was born on Sunday, on the 7th evening of the 7th month of the year of the mother, which corresponds to May 27, 1906 and he was ordained on July 29, 1926 to become a Buddhist monk. He committed to serve the Buddha by spreading the Buddhist Dharma and lived to benefit fellow human beings as much as possible. He started the Mokkha Phlaram Garden at Wat Trapangchik in the Phum Riang Subdistrict, Chaiya District, before coming to Wat Than Nam Lai, Mok Phlaram Park. 

During his life, he vowed to steadfastly serve the Buddha until the end of his life, passing away peacefully at Mokkha Phlaram Park on July 8, 1993. Sirirum was 87 years old and was a monk for 67 years. 

The ideas Panich expressed are not only a guiding star for Thailand, but also for societies across the world that are trying to create social order and a just and fair economy.