Renouncing a life of affluence, Ajahn Siripanyo, son of Malaysian telecom tycoon Ananda Krishnan, has chosen the path of monasticism. Krishnan, known as AK, is Malaysia's third-richest man, with a net worth exceeding Rs 40,000 crore (over US$5 billion), according to the South China Morning Post. Krishnan's business interests include telecommunications, media, oil, gas, and real estate. He previously owned Aircel, which sponsored the IPL cricket team Chennai Super Kings. While Krishnan's father is a businessman, Siripanyo's mother, Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, is linked to the Thai royal family. Despite being groomed to inherit this vast fortune, Siripanyo chose to renounce worldly riches at the age of 18, a decision that his father, a devout Buddhist and committed philanthropist, respects deeply. His spiritual quest began during a visit to Thailand, where he was temporarily ordained at a Buddhist retreat. What started as a short-term experience evolved into a lifelong dedication. Today, he serves as the abbot of the Dtao Dum Monastery, located near the Thailand-Myanmar border. Raised in London, Siripanyo’s upbringing was cosmopolitan, and he is fluent in at least eight languages. Despite his monastic lifestyle, he visits his father occasionally, striking a balance between his spiritual commitments and familial relationships.
