ABOUT US
พระธรรมพัชรญาณมุนี (พระอาจารย์ชยสาโร)
Life is not easy. We face many challenges with regards to our relationship to the material world we live in, and our relationships with the people around us. We are challenged by our thoughts and emotions, which can be both a source of great joy and deep misery. Buddhism asserts the human capacity for education as our greatest resource in meeting all the challenges that life presents us with. The Buddhist teachings found in the Eightfold Path are, in effect, the greatest most powerful education system the world has ever seen. Embedding profound Buddhist developmental principles in the conventional school system is, we believe, the most intelligent means of providing an education that will enable our young people to flourish in an unpredictable, rapidly-changing world.
She noticed that the children became more respectful, well-mannered, and morally cultivated while maintaining strong academic performance, successfully passing entrance exams to competitive and prestigious schools. However, she felt it was a pity that these well-trained children would eventually disperse into a conventional education system that prioritizes academics over character development, focusing on personal gain and economic success—even at the cost of morality. She wished for Thawsi students to continue their education at the secondary level within a Buddhist wisdom framework so that these principles would remain strong and continue to influence society.
Coincidentally, Khun Yai Thawsi owned an 82-rai plot of land in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province—a place with excellent air quality and a serene environment, ideal for fostering a meaningful life. This land was originally used as a retreat site for Grade 5 and 6 students from Thawsi School, where they attended an annual mindfulness camp. The first Panyaprateep Chedi (stupa) was also built there, with Mr. Dee Changmo (Dusadee Rakmanee), and Thawsi students collaborating in its construction. Seeing that the teachers and students attending the camp lacked proper accommodation and sometimes faced floods during rainy seasons, Khun Yai decided to build the Panyaprateep Pavilion to serve as both lodging and a meditation hall.
When Khun Yai resolved to establish a Buddhist wisdom-based secondary school, she faced significant opposition, as many feared the endeavor would be too exhausting for her. Founding a school is a challenging and demanding task. However, her unwavering determination led her family—her siblings and children—to pool resources for constructing the school's first building, named the Phraya and Khunying Witurathumphinetu Building, in honor of her parents, especially her father, who deeply valued education.
At the same time, Phra Thep Phatcharayanmuni (Ajahn Jayasaro), the chief advisor for both Thawsi and Panyaprateep Schools, recommended establishing the Panyaprateep Foundation for public benefit, hoping it would attract donations for school development. However, raising funds for the school proved challenging. In the end, the school's largest benefactor was none other than Khun Yai Thawsi herself. She provided financial and moral support, never backing down despite obstacles. Her relentless efforts enabled the school to rapidly construct essential buildings, followed by additional structures in the subsequent years.
Her strong will and determination inspired Teacher Onn Bupaswat Rachatatanun and Dr. Witit Rachatatanun, and her children to contribute, expanding support from teachers, parents, and students. Together, they pioneered Panyaprateep School as a boarding institution dedicated to nurturing wholesome lives. The school allows children to live in harmony with nature, fostering independence, self-reliance, moral integrity, and the joy of helping themselves and others.
Eventually, her vision materialized—Panyaprateep School became a Buddhist wisdom-based school open to students from across the country. As a coeducational boarding school, it provides holistic development, balancing academic knowledge with life skills, cultivating moral strength, and nurturing a new generation of capable and virtuous individuals. Graduates from the school not only excel academically but also remain connected to the school, often returning to support their teachers and younger students. Their growth brought immense pride to Khun Yai Thawsi and all those who have witnessed the school's journey, including teachers, students, and parents, who have simultaneously grown together in this community of good-hearted individuals.
Khun Yai believed that true happiness comes from contributing to the nation and society. She saw that building a school and raising morally upright individuals to contribute to the country was the ultimate fulfillment of her aspirations. In her view, nothing was more valuable to the nation than nurturing young people with strong ethics who could serve society.
She was deeply concerned about the increasing societal conflicts and the deterioration of moral values, where people prioritized personal preferences over right and wrong. She had faith that a school rooted in Buddhist wisdom could lead society toward peace and harmony, fostering a spirit of contentment and generosity. With this conviction, she dedicated everything to ensuring Panyaprateep School became a reality, hoping it would serve as a model for others who shared her concerns for society. She wished for people to study, explore, and apply these principles for the benefit of the community.
Khun Yaiu expressed her gratitude to Phra Thep Phatcharayanmuni for serving as the chief advisor, to her children for their support—especially Teacher Onn and Teacher Witit for their immense sacrifices—to the school's benefactors, teachers, and staff who contributed to shaping the institution, and to the students who continue to cherish and give back to the school even after graduating. She also extended her blessings to all those who have faith in Buddhist wisdom and strive to uphold education as a means of guiding society toward righteousness, peace, and virtuous progress.
When COVID-19 spread rapidly across the world, beginning in late 2019, it had a massive impact on lives and economies. The damage caused was comparable to that of a world war. As a result, building immunity to disease became a global priority.
In truth, the human body does not need immunity only against occasional outbreaks of disease. To live safely and happily in this world, to be a good person, to contribute to society, and to be aware and not fall victim to the dangers of the world, individuals must develop a kind of life immunity to achieve these goals.
Such immunity does not need to be sought elsewhere—it is already present in Buddhism. It must be cultivated from a young age so that it remains with individuals throughout their lives. This is the fundamental aim of Panyaprateep School. Beyond providing education based on global academic standards, the school also instills this life immunity in students by teaching them to seek knowledge and engage in practical training. This prepares them to face the outside world with confidence.
To accomplish this, the school must be a boarding school, set in a spacious and hygienic environment, surrounded by nature. Teachers and students live closely together, like members of a large family. However, this does not mean separating children from their parents entirely—students still return home periodically to experience the outside world.
This process of building life immunity is closely overseen by the Most Venerable Phra Thepphacharayanmuni (Ajahn Jayasaro), who regularly interacts with the students. Alumni of Panyaprateep School have proven that the immunity they developed here benefits both their academic success and personal growth. They continue to maintain a strong bond with their second home—Panyaprateep School.
Their goal is to provide education for adolescents, driven by a strong belief that this approach is the right path and will contribute to the sustainable development of Thai society—leading to peace, contentment, and an awareness of the modern world, while following a path of virtue and merit.
I was entrusted with the role of the school’s first director in the academic year 2009 and declared the founding principles of Panyaprateep School, which can be summarized as follows:
1. Demonstrating the Timelessness of Buddhist Teachings
We seek to show the world that the teachings of the Buddha are never outdated. They are relevant to all times, places, and age groups and can be practically applied at the secondary education level.
2. Guiding Society Towards Righteousness
Education should lead society in the right direction, rather than merely following social trends, which are often dictated by human desires. Our aim is to address societal issues at their root, for the well-being of the nation, rather than contributing to the creation of more problems.
3. Prioritizing Quality of Life
Our focus is on quality and values rather than quantity or financial gain. Academic knowledge is not the ultimate goal in itself; rather, it serves as a means to enrich life.
4. A Holistic, Balanced Approach
Our education system is comprehensive and well-rounded, fostering external development—such as relationships with the material world and social interactions—alongside academic and practical life skills that support one another. At the same time, we emphasize inner development, including mental cultivation and wisdom.
5. Becoming a Model School and a Learning Hub
Panyaprateep School aspires to be a pioneering institution that genuinely benefits society and the broader community.
From over a decade of experience, I am confident that the Buddhist wisdom-based education we are building is on the right path. It plays a vital role in shaping individuals who incorporate Buddhist wisdom into their way of life. Although our group remains small, we believe that even a few individuals can positively influence society, inspiring those around them to pursue both external and internal self-development. The Panyaprateep community of like-minded individuals continues to grow, in alignment with the vision of Khun Yai Thawsi Svasti-Xuto, the school’s founder. She was the key supporter of everything that has enabled our school to stand firm and flourish.
Khun Yai Thawsi passed away on July 19, 2020, leaving behind a profound legacy—Panyaprateep School—which carries forward her aspirations. Her wish was for Thai society to benefit from and find greater peace through the teachings of the Buddha.
I am committed to dedicating the rest of my life to continuously advancing Buddhist wisdom-based education. I invite all those who share a similar vision to join forces in driving this initiative forward, for the benefit of our society and our nation as a whole.
These qualities were clearly the result of nurturing within the Buddhist Wisdom Education system, along with the close and caring relationships among students, teachers, and parents as kalyanamitta (spiritual friends).
Khun Yai felt it would be wonderful if, after finishing Grade 6 at Thawsi School, children could continue to be nurtured in this way at the secondary level. Many parents had also expressed their wishes to Khun Yai and Kru Onn, hoping that Thawsi School would one day expand to offer secondary education following the same principles.
Kru Onn shared this aspiration, deeply believing in the value and clarity of Buddhist Wisdom Education as a lifelong approach. She was convinced that cultivating young people to be both good and capable through continuous development would certainly and sustainably address many social problems.
With her far-sighted vision and determination, Khun Yai Thawsi was committed to establishing a secondary school. She agreed with Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro that to fully cultivate youth, a boarding school would be most effective. Pak Chong was chosen for its suitable geography and climate, and it was not too far from Bangkok. Khun Yai generously donated over 80 rai of land in Pak Chong for the school and supported every aspect of the project financially. She once said, “Even if there is only one student, I still want to open this school.”
Her wish was to create something that benefited society, not herself. Following Ajahn Jayasaro’s advice, the school was established as a model of Buddhist Wisdom Education and placed under the care of a non-profit foundation. Thus, the Panyaprateep Foundation and Panyaprateep School were born.
Establishing a secondary school was a new endeavor for all of us. Caring for both boys and girls in a boarding school located in the countryside was not easy. The Buddhist Wisdom curriculum needed to be developed to offer the most benefit, and close collaboration with parents was essential. With Ajahn Jayasaro’s guidance as our chief advisor, the wisdom and support of Associate Professor Dr. Preeda Tasanapradit, Chairman of the Panyaprateep Foundation, and the dedicated efforts of our entire team, Panyaprateep School has continually demonstrated that modern Buddhist Wisdom Education can thrive.
The school has become a model community of kalyanamitta, with students at both adolescent and adult levels who are committed to lifelong learning — for their own benefit and happiness, and for the good of others. It is a place that nurtures people to be both competent and virtuous, and to live happily.
There is no better way to repay the kindness of our teachers and of Khun Yai Thawsi, the school’s founder, than to carry on the mission of developing and sustaining Thai Buddhist Wisdom Education — expanding its benefits and spreading happiness to a wider community.
We humbly pay homage to Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro and all our teachers, and we express our deepest gratitude to Khun Yai Thawsi, Associate Professor Dr. Preeda Tasanapradit, and all the benefactors who have supported Panyaprateep School and the Panyaprateep Foundation.
