Phra Khuva Boonchum

Venerable Ñāṇasaṁvara (; ; born 5 January 1964), also known as Khruba Boonchum (ครูบาบุญชุ่ม) in Thailand and as the Mine Hpone Sayadaw in Myanmar, is a prominent Shan Theravāda Buddhist monk of the Northern Thai Forest Tradition established by Khruba Siwichai. He is widely respected in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos for his solitary meditation retreats in remote forests, mountains, and caves, earning him the nickname "the monk of the three nations".

Early life Ñāṇasaṁvara was born on 5 January 1964 in Mae Kham, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, to Po Kham Hla and Nang Saeng La, a Shan-speaking family originally from Mong Yong near Kengtung, Shan State, Burma. Burma News International, citing the Shan Herald News Agency, instead dates his higher ordination to 9 May 1986 at Wat Suan Dok in Chiang Mai, at the age of 21. He has been invited to royal palaces in Bhutan and Thailand.

Ñāṇasaṁvara is known for his ascetic practice: he is a lifelong vegetarian, walks barefoot in all weather, and observes complete silence during his solitary cave retreats.

He gained international media attention during the Tham Luang cave rescue, when he predicted the exact day the trapped boys and their coach would be found alive. The King of Thailand later offered him robes in recognition.

Ñāṇasaṁvara has also mediated peace and reconciliation ceremonies with ethnic minority groups in Myanmar.

Meditation retreats In 2010, he began a retreat in Rajagriha Cave in Ngao district, Lampang province, Thailand, where visitors were barred and communication was restricted to written messages. It ended on 20 July 2013 after three years, three months, and three days; he then met followers for three days before beginning a further three-month retreat.

From April 2019 to August 2022, he undertook another retreat of the same duration in Mong Kyat Cave, Shan State.

Awards Saddhammajotikadhaja Medal (1996) Agga Maha Kammatthana Sariya Degree (2018)