LuongTa Chanhphy Manivong
Biography and Dharma Gifts in Materials to Buddhism

This is to confirm that I, Sakcsith Vongtongtip, have known and supported LuongTa Chanhphy Manivong since the day he was in Laos until today, and I would like to present you his brief backgrounds.

LuongTa Chanhphy Manivong is a Laotian. He joined the monastery at the age of 10. After joining the monastery, LuongTa preferred travelling and practicing Kamathana in forests and caves. In 1970, LuongTa built his own Temple which was known as ‘Wat Phonekork’ (original name) which was under the administration of District of ‘Bor Oh Village, Saiphong City, Province of Vientiane. After the construction, the Temple was renamed as ‘Wat Khamphy Phonekork’. LuongTa was honoured by the Buddhist Controlling Body of Laos and was given the title of ‘Phra Khrou Chanhphy Panyano Manivong’.

On 21 June 1981 he settled in Australia and was granted Australian citizenship 3 years after arrival. At present he is 75 years old, and is also known as LuongTa Chanhphy Panyano Manivong.

I would like to describe what LuongTa has done in the past and will be doing in the future for the benefits of Buddhamamaka throughout the world.

1. Author and published a Dharma Book entitled ‘Pra Kan Pratray Pidok’ in brief – 500 copies – Lao language.

2. Author and published a Dharma Book entitled ‘Silangloke Audharang and Panya Vimudhi’ – 3000 copies (Lao language)
3. Author and published a Dharma Book entitled ‘Vipassana Tharng Sai Kang – The Way You Are Looking For’ – 4000 copies (Lao and English languages)
4. Author and published a Dharma Book entitled ‘Vipassana The Middle Way Part II’ – 2000 copies (English and Vietnamese languages)
5. Author and published a Dharma Book entitled ‘The Emptiness You Are Looking For’ – 5000 copies (Lao and English languages)
6. Author and published a Dharma Book entitled ‘Vipassana Bhumi 6’ – 4500 copies (Lao, Thai and English languages)
7. Author and published a Dharma Book entitled ‘Buddha Dharma For You’ – Number of copies to be confirmed (Lao and English languages)

In relation to Buddha statues and other ‘Paccaya’ which LuongTa has contributed to Buddhist temples and Buddhist organisations in Australia and overseas may be listed below :

1. 7^th April 1997, LuongTa traveled to Laos and contributed Kips 3,000,000 and Baht 25,000 and the ‘Ordination Ceremony’ altogether $US 4,000 at the Temple of Wat Pha khao. It was the Head of Buddhist Monk of Xaythany City, Pra Krou Thongsa Aminthalath who accepted ‘Paccaya’ on behalf of the Temple.

From 1992 until today LuongTa traveled to 17 countries in Europe and the USA where he gave Dharma talks and organised religious ceremonies with Buddhamaka. In late 1997, LuongTa will be traveling to Asian and European countries again where he will provide Dharma talks and give guidance to Dharma practices.

2. For Wat Lao Buddanimit Canberra, in mid 1996 LuongTa offered a statute of Pra Mokhala and Pra Salibouth and $1,000. Recently LuongTa offered a Athaparikhana an amount of cash $1,300 plus 1,496 small replica metal Buddha statues of ‘Loung Pou Vimoutdhisouk’. Also, LuongTa has donated small gold (24k) Buddha statue Baht 1,5 to be affixed to the ‘gable-finial’ of the Sima of Wat Lao Buddhanimit Canberra.

3. For the Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, LuongTa has donated a bronze Buddha Statue (Threading Needle period) weight 1500 kilograms together with other Buddha relics including 6000 small metal Buddha statues. Additionally, LuongTa has donated another Principal Bronze Buddha Statue, 2000 small metal Buddha statues, a small gold, silver and other special metal Buddha statues (altogether 8 statues). Also, LuongTa has donated his Dharma books 1000 copies, cash $1000 and 21 sets of Atthaparikana Eight.

4. For the Upwey Buddhist Discussion Centre, on 9 September 1997 LuongTa has donated a Bronze Statue of Bodhisattva Kwan Yim and his Dharma books 3,500 copies.

5. For Ajarn Saly of Lao Buddhist Institution, Sydney, on 13 September 1997, LuongTa has donated a Bronze Buddha statue with 7 headed Nagra weight 50 Kilograms, 80 cm in height and 60 cm in width. Additionally, LuongTa has donated an Bronze Gong approximately about 60 cm in diameter and his Dharma books 100 copies.

6. For Wat Buddhalavarn – Forest Temple Buddhalavarn, LuongTa has donated the following :

• 1^st Buddha statue – on 14 September 1997, a very old metal Buddha statue, approximately 1000 years old, 70 cm in height and weight 10 kilograms,

• 2^nd statue – on 14 September 1997, a principal bronze Buddha statue approximately 2.60 m height, 300 small metal Buddha statues, cash $500, his Dharma books 900 copies as well as 32 sets of Atthaparikhan Eight

• 3^rd Buddha Statue ‘Louang Pou Saipraseuth’ Weight 300 Kilograms, 2.60 meter height, 2 meter width together with an amount of $500 in cash as well as 300 small replica statues of ‘Louang Pou Vimoutdhisouk’.

• On 9 November 1997, LuongTa has confirmed that he will be organising a ‘Kathina – Annual Robe Presentation Ceremony’ for Wat Buddhalavarn Forest Temple.

In future, LuongTa is planning to write another Dharma Book entitled ‘Prince Siddhartha – The Story of Buddha’ in Lao and English.

LuongTa has carried out these meritorious Dharmadana (Dharma gifts) with pure heart, and I have witnessed what he has done and I would like to confirm that everything mentioned in his short biography is true and correct. Therefore, with the Blessing of the Triple Gems, I would like to wish LuongTa to be Healthy and Have Long Life so that he can continue serving the cause of Buddhism for the benefits of the masses. Sadhu Anumodhami.

Sakcith Vongtongtip
Canberra – Australia
23 September 1997

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