Luang Phor Maha Uthai, Wat Don Sala

 

Biography of Luang Phor Maha Uthai Wimolo (Pali Level 7)

Abbot of Wat Don Sala, Phatthalung Province

Khao Or Lineage Master

Birth Name: Uthai Khumtree

Date of Birth: March 22, 1928 (B.E. 2471)

Place of Birth: Ban Phai Rob, Moo 7, Tambon Pantae, Amphoe Khuan Khanun, Phatthalung Province, Southern Thailand

Current Status: As of the latest available public records, Luang Phor Maha Uthai is still alive and active in his monastic duties. No public record of his passing (death) has been confirmed as of 2025.

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Early Life and Ordination

Luang Phor Maha Uthai was born into a humble family in rural Phatthalung to Mr. Daeng and Mrs. Oui Khumtree. He completed Primary Grade 4 at Wat Don Sala School and assisted his family in agricultural work during his youth.

At age 21, he ordained at Wat Khuan Pattaram on May 27, 1949 (B.E. 2492), as per Thai custom of repaying gratitude to one’s parents. His preceptor was Phra Khru Rattanaphirat (Luang Phor Ne), with Luang Phor Koet and Phra Khru Kachat (Luang Phor Boonthong) of Wat Don Sala serving as ritual teachers. He received the Dhamma name Wimolo.

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Monastic Education and Khao Or Lineage Training

After ordination, he spent his first rains retreat at Wat Khuan Pattaram, studying Dhamma discipline and Vipassana meditation under Luang Phor Ne. He also studied under:

• Phra Khru Kachat (Luang Phor Boonthong) – Wat Don Sala

• Luang Phor Pal – Wat Khao Or

To pursue formal monastic education, he later moved to:

• Wat Wang Tawan Tok, Nakhon Si Thammarat (under Luang Phor Song)

• Wat Chaeng, Songkhla (under Phra Ratchawachiramontri)

There, he completed Pali Studies through Level 4 over five years. During this time, he also studied with Luang Phor Phlat Bhattiyo, a renowned Khao Or lineage master from Wat Khok Sung, who generously shared his deep esoteric knowledge.

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Rise as a Monastic Educator and Leader

In 1956 (B.E. 2499), he was invited to teach at the newly established Wat Hat Yai Nai, Songkhla, which lacked Pali instructors. Under Luang Phor Klink’s patronage, he continued his studies and later attained Pali Level 7, along with official certification as a Pali teacher and ecclesiastical administrator.

He held the following roles:

• Pali Teacher at Wat Mahatthamangalaram

• Assistant Abbot (from B.E. 2502)

• Director of the Sunday Dhamma School at Municipal School 1

• Deputy Abbot of Wat Hat Yai Nai

• Ecclesiastical Head of Tambon Khuan Lang

• Preceptor (Upajjhaya)

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Return to Don Sala and Khao Or Lineage Succession

In B.E. 2543 (2000), both Luang Phor Boonthong and Luang Phor Sringern of Wat Don Sala became ill. Lacking a successor to carry on the Khao Or spiritual lineage, Luang Phor Maha Uthai—who had long served in Hat Yai—was called back to Phatthalung.

He resigned from his positions in Hat Yai and returned to restore, preserve, and continue the Khao Or tradition. He cared for his teachers, took charge of temple affairs, and ultimately assumed the abbotship of Wat Don Sala in B.E. 2544 (2001).

When Luang Phor Sringern passed away, Luang Phor Maha Uthai led the funeral and was widely recognized as the most capable successor of the Khao Or tradition.

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Teachers and Lineage

Luang Phor Maha Uthai is a direct recipient of the Khao Or lineage, having received teachings from:

• Luang Phor Ne, Wat Khuan Pattaram

• Luang Phor Pal, Wat Khao Or

• Luang Phor Boonthong (Phra Khru Kachat), Wat Don Sala

• Luang Phor Phlat (Phra Khru Phattharathamrat), Wat Khok Sung

• Luang Phor Klink, Wat Hat Yai Nai

• Luang Phor Kaew (Phra Khru Mongkhon Satit), Wat Hat Yai Nai

• Luang Phor Kai Wimolo, Wat Hat Yai Nai

• Luang Phor Maha Loi, Wat Laem Chak, Pak Ro

Each of these masters contributed specialized knowledge in meditation, sacred incantations, and Buddhist magic, forming the multi-disciplinary foundation that Luang Phor Uthai inherited and preserved.

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Sacred Object Creation and Later Years

In B.E. 2555 (2012), to mark his 84th birthday, Luang Phor Maha Uthai created sacred items honoring Ajahn Nam, including:

• The first cast medal (Rian Lor) of Ajahn Nam

• Phra Somdej-style powder amulets

• A ceremonial iron plough-blade amulet (phal-thai)

These were consecrated in Chattan Cave at Wat Khao Or, in a major sacred ritual.

In B.E. 2556 (2013), at age 85, he authorized the creation of his own first portrait medal, mirroring Ajahn Nam’s original medal both in age and style. The consecration was held on May 23, 2013.

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Legacy

Luang Phor Maha Uthai Wimolo is widely regarded as one of the most complete successors of the Khao Or magical lineage in modern times. His mastery of Pali, discipline in Dhamma Vinaya, and profound knowledge in sacred sciences make him a rare and exceptional monastic figure. His teachings, amulets, and spiritual presence continue to inspire monks and lay devotees throughout Thailand and beyond.