Kruba Ajahn

Kruba (Northern Thai: ครูบา) is an honorific title in the Lanna region of Northern Thailand, traditionally bestowed upon highly respected Buddhist monks renowned for their spiritual attainment, moral integrity, leadership, and dedication to the community.^[1]

The term Kruba is composed of two parts: Kru, from the Sanskrit word *Guru*, meaning "teacher"; and Ba, a designation for a senior monk such as an abbot, typically over 50 years old or with at least 30 years in robes, who teaches young laymen (*Kula Butra*).^[2]

Some scholars suggest that Kruba may be a cognate to the Vajrayāna refuge term *Namo GuruBhya*, where *Namo* means “homage to,” *Guru* means “teacher,” and *Bhya* acts as the preposition “to” in “homage to the master.”^[3]

In the Northern Thai vernacular, Kruba is often used in place of the more widespread Thai title Luang Phor to denote monks regarded as local saints or spiritual masters. The title implies deep veneration by the laity and acknowledges exceptional merit, teaching, and service.

One famous example is Kruba Siwichai, also known as “the Saint of Lanna.” Born in 1878 in Lamphun Province, he became widely revered for overseeing temple restorations, road-building, and community development projects—most notably the road leading to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep—funded almost entirely by local devotion and effort.^[4][5]

Local folklore describes how, through spiritual merit and leadership, Kruba Srivichai mobilized resources without official government funding—earning admiration and the honorary title.

The title Kruba is more than a religious honorific; it symbolizes a bridge between the monastic community and laypeople in Lanna culture. Monks bearing this title are frequently venerated for their asceticism, community building, and teaching.

For example, Kruba Chao Duangdee Suphatto, a disciple of Kruba Srivichai, continued his mentor’s legacy by constructing temples, schools, chedis, and bridges in Chiang Mai’s San Pa Tong district.^[6]

In broader Thai spiritual frameworks, this title is distinct from—but somewhat analogous to—the central Thai titles Ajahn (teacher) or Luang Phor (venerable father), though Kruba carries stronger connotations of mystical authority and community reverence.^[7]

All monks bearing the title of Kruba are traditionally associated with the **Esoteric Theravāda** lineage, a lesser-known but significant form of Theravāda Buddhism that incorporates meditation, mysticism, and ritual practices similar to those found in Vajrayāna.^[8]

The Kruba title is specifically used to distinguish these monks from more conventional teachers referred to as Phra Ajarn. Another closely related designation used for Esoteric Theravādin monastics is "Geiji Ajarn."

Modern usage of the title Kruba continues, often associated with monks skilled in traditional Lanna ritual practice. For instance:

• Kruba Wong – renowned for his use of sacred yants, takruts, and magic practices.^[9]
• Kruba Sri Ong – recognized for crafting sacred amulets embedded with Lanna scripts and spells.^[10]

These modern krubas underscore the survival and adaptation of the traditional Lanna spiritual lineage in contemporary Buddhist practice.