Body to be Brought Back to Nakhon Si Thammarat for Final Rites
PUBLISHED: 10 Mar 2025 at 11:01
Yantra Amaro, a controversial former monk, has passed away at the age of 73 at his monastery in California. The news was confirmed via a brief announcement indicating that he has reached Nirvana.
Born Winai La-ongsuwan, Yantra died on Sunday at the Sunnataram California Monastery in Escondido. The message shared did not divulge any details regarding the circumstances of his death but expressed condolences for the Venerable Father.
Yantra garnered a significant following across the United States, Thailand, and beyond after being expelled from the Thai monkhood in 1994 due to a highly publicized scandal involving inappropriate relationships with female disciples.
Following his exile to California, he established a new monastery and remained there until the criminal statute of limitations for his cases in Thailand expired in 2014.
Despite his expulsion, Yantra continued to don robes reminiscent of those worn by ordained monks and made several discreet visits back to Thailand to meet with followers after 2014. His most recent visit was noted last month at Suvarnabhumi airport.
Devotees have begun sharing heartfelt condolences, expressing their hopes for his peaceful rest and ultimate attainment of nirvana. Yantra was originally from the Pak Panang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, where his family is now preparing to return his body for a religious ceremony.
