Ven Ajahn Siripanyo: The billionaire's son who chose a monk's life ...

Now, decades later, Siripanyo lives as a forest monk at Dtao Dum Monastery on the remote Thailand-Myanmar border.

Raised in London with his two sisters, Siripanyo is fluent in eight languages.

In a world where opulence often defines success, Ven Ajahn Siripanyo, the only son of Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, chose an entirely different path. At just 18, he turned his back on a life of luxury that included a sprawling business empire in telecom, oil, and real estate, to embrace the austere existence of a Buddhist monk.

Krishnan, affectionately known as “AK,” is Malaysia’s third-richest man, with a fortune exceeding $5 billion (₹40,000 crore). His business ventures include Aircel, the now-defunct telecom operator once emblazoned on the jerseys of the Chennai Super Kings, captained by cricket icon MS Dhoni. For a time, it seemed natural that his son would inherit the empire.

But Ajahn Siripanyo’s story took an unexpected turn. During a trip to Thailand to reconnect with his mother’s royal lineage—his mother is Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, a descendant of the Thai royal family—he decided to ordain as a monk, initially for a temporary retreat. What began as a brief spiritual sojourn turned into a lifelong commitment, much like the transformation chronicled in Robin Sharma’s The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

Now, decades later, Siripanyo lives as a forest monk at Dtao Dum Monastery on the remote Thailand-Myanmar border. His days are defined by meditation and simplicity, a stark contrast to the world he left behind.

While his father’s empire spans industries and continents, Siripanyo’s life revolves around mindfulness. Yet, he has not entirely severed ties with his past. Family remains a cornerstone of his Buddhist practice, and he visits his father occasionally, stepping briefly into the world he once left.

Raised in London with his two sisters, Siripanyo is fluent in eight languages and is known for his openness to different cultures. This global upbringing shaped his ability to embrace Buddhist teachings with a unique perspective.

The South China Morning Post described Siripanyo’s approach to life as one that balances detachment with duty. Although he lives on the generosity of others, he does not shun the comforts of his upbringing when necessary. His journey—trading billions for mindfulness—echoes the timeless struggle between material wealth and spiritual fulfillment.