By Qinzhi Lau Chinese Translated by An Ti VBS 663
劉親智 文 安媞 中譯
On June 29, 2025, Luang Por Khoon Aggadhammo and Luang Por Damrong Siribhaddo from Thailand—accompanied by Abbot Ajahn Nyaniko of Abhayagiri Monastery, along with several other monastics and devotees, visited the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB).
泰國客僧坤長老與達姆隆長老，在無畏寺方丈尼亞尼科法師以及無畏寺多位僧人、信眾陪同下，於2025年6月29日造訪萬佛聖城。
“Luong Por” is an honorific title meaning “Venerable Father,” used for senior Thai monks. Luong Por Khoon and Luong Por Damrong are direct disciples of the late Thai Master Luang Por Chah (Ajahn Chah).
「長老（隆波）」是泰國對資深比丘的尊稱，泰文原意是「尊敬的父親」。坤長老與達姆隆長老是泰國已故高僧查長老（阿姜查）的親炙弟子。
Luong Por Khoon, with fifty-nine years of monastic seniority, previously resided at Wat Nong Pah Pong where he practiced alongside Luang Por Sumedho during the latter’s early years at the monastery. Luong Por Khoon is currently the abbot of Wat Pho Suwan in Phiboon Mangsahan District, Ubon Province. Luong Por Damrong, ordained for fifty-six years, now serves as a preceptor (Pāli: upajjhāya) for many bhikkhus in the Wat Nong Pah Pong community. This visit marked their first trip to the United States.
坤長老戒臘59，曾駐錫於巴蓬寺，與當時初抵該寺的蘇美多長老共修多年；現任烏汶府披汶芒沙漢縣菩提蘇灣寺方丈。達姆隆長老戒臘56，是巴蓬寺僧團的比丘戒師。這是他們兩位第一次赴美。
The visiting Luong Pors were received by Dharma Master Heng Shun and Dharma Master Heng Chiang, with Ajahn Nyaniko providing Thai and English translation. Having previously ordained in Thailand and met Ajahn Chah, Dharma Master Heng Shun shared many common topics with the two Thai monks. Both Luong Por Khoon and Luong Por Damrong lived with Ajahn Chah in the 1970s and had many opportunities to receive his direct teachings. They recalled that Ajahn Chah was very strict.
當天由恒順法師與恒江法師接待來訪的長老僧，尼亞尼科法師負責泰語和英語翻譯。順法師曾在泰國出家，也曾面見查長老，因此和兩位泰國客僧有許多共同的話題。坤長老與達姆隆長老1970年代和查長老共住，有許多親聆查長老教化的機會，他們都説查長老相當嚴格。
Compared to Thailand, California’s climate is less humid, which the two visiting Luong Pors greatly appreciated. With the Thai rainy season approaching, Rains Retreat begins on July 11, and the etymology of its Pali (Vassa) and Thai (Pansa) names became one of the topics of discussion.
和泰國相較，加州氣候不那麼潮濕，兩位長老僧相當喜歡加州氣候。泰國雨季即將展開，結夏安居於7月11日開始。結夏安居的巴利文名稱和泰文名稱語源，也成了討論話題之一。
Dharma Master Heng Shun also introduced the making of the small Buddha statues in the Buddha Hall to the Luang Pors. He and Dharma Master Chiang then led them to the Wordless Hall to view the shariras of Shakyamuni Buddha, Elder Master Xuyun, and Venerable Master Hua, as well as the writing tools and daily items that Master Hua used during his lifetime.
順法師在萬佛殿介紹宣公上人當年親手製作的萬尊小佛像，並和江法師陪同他們前往無言堂，瞻仰釋迦牟尼佛、虛雲老和尚、宣公上人三位聖人的舍利，以及上人生前使用的文物。
Ajahn Chah’s Wat Nong Pah Pong has established branch monasteries worldwide, including Abhayagiri Monastery. During their U.S. visit, the two Luang Pors also toured Abhayagiri’s California branch and felt that the people here were like a part of their family. They offered blessings for the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas: “May this monastery (CTTB) keep progressing as a refuge for people in the world.”
查長老創建的巴蓬寺在全球有多座分支道場，包括無畏寺在內。兩位長老僧這次來美，也造訪無畏寺在加州的分支道場，並覺得在美國寺廟所遇到的人，都像一家人似的；他們也祝福萬佛城繼續成為世人的皈依處。♦