Son of Billionaire Chooses Monkhood, Leaves Behind Rp90 Trillion Fortune
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – For a handful of people, wealth is not life’s ultimate goal. This is reflected in the decision of Ajahn Siripanyo, son of a Malaysian billionaire, who chose to leave a life of luxury to pursue the spiritual path of a Buddhist monk.
As is widely known, Ajahn Siripanyo is the only son of Ananda Krishnan, one of Malaysia’s richest conglomerates. Krishnan built a business empire spanning telecommunications, satellites, oil and gas, property and media, valued at US$5 billion, or approximately Rp90.48 trillion.
“Ajahn Siripanyo’s choice is entirely his own, and it is respected within the family,” read a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), quoted by the Economic Times.
Beyond his business pedigree through his father, Siripanyo also has aristocratic lineage from his mother’s side. His mother, Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, is descended from the Thai royal family, which gave him ties to aristocratic circles and a life of considerable privilege.
Despite being born into immense wealth, Siripanyo made a major decision at the age of 18 to become a monk. The decision aligned with the Buddhist faith his family practised, although it was an unusual step for the heir to a business empire worth tens of trillions of rupiah.
His spiritual journey began with a short retreat in Thailand. However, that experience developed into a lifelong commitment. For more than two decades, Ajahn Siripanyo has lived as a forest monk, residing at the Dtao Dum monastery near the Thai-Myanmar border.
Siripanyo spent his childhood in London with his two sisters. He was educated in England and is said to be fluent in at least eight languages. That cross-cultural life experience helped shape his worldview whilst deepening his understanding of Buddhist teachings.
As a monk, Siripanyo chose to abandon a materialistic existence and embrace the principle of simple living. He relies on alms from the community and leads a daily life far removed from the environment in which he was raised.
Nevertheless, he still maintains occasional contact with his family, including visits to his father. These visits are made without abandoning the principles of Buddhism, which continue to emphasise the importance of family bonds.
Siripanyo’s life story is often compared to the fictional character Julian Mantle in the book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. The difference is that Siripanyo’s journey is a true story of someone who chose the spiritual path over inheriting a fortune worth tens of trillions of rupiah.