This sad news was published in the Thai Nation today.
Highly revered monk Luangta Maha Bua Yanasampanno passed away early Sunday. He was 98 years old.
His followers at Wat Pa Ban Tad in Udon Thani said the abbot of the temple died at 3:53 am.
Luangta Maha Bua was born Bua Lohitdee on August 12, 1913 in Ban Tad, Udon Thani’s Mak Khaeng district to a well-to-do farming family and had 15 siblings. At the age of 20, he was ordained as a monk on May 12, 1934, at Wat Yothanimit, according to the Thai tradition for his parents’ merit.Luangta Maha Bua, who was a student of much-respected Luangpu Man Phurithatto, is renowned for leading many fund-raising events for charitable causes and helping to restore the country’s national reserves after they were depleted in the “Tom Yam Gung” financial crisis in 1997-98.
Luang Ta Maha Bua was one of the great monks, indeed great human beings, of the last century, and his passing away signals the end of an era. He has said for years that people should not mourn his death, as he has long gone beyond rebirth. Fierce and funny, profound and unique, he was a true original. May he rest in Nibbbana!
Sujato’s Blog 
Aniccā vata saṅkhārā
Uppāda-vaya-dhammino
Uppajjitvā nirujjhanti
Tesaṃ vūpasamo sukho
Thank you very much for the news Bhante,
When I heard it seems that I looked as if I was going to cry. Not extremely detached, however I have heard a number of accounts of the greatness of Luangta Maha Bua. He was a towering figure in Theravada and one of the few monks rumoured to have attained Nibbana!
Perhaps desire to meet such renowned Bhikkhus is a sign of a lack of faith in my own ability to progress along the path. However, it seems a great loss to one who has no representative of the Sangha around to have one fewer Bhikkhu in this noble and precious tradition.
A friend of mine just passed away and he had spent most of his life helping children who had a drug problem or who came from abusive family situations. He helped many kids teach other kids. Since we are all scattered, most of the mourning happened on Facebook through frantic messages and eulagies on this man’s Wall.
The internet has really revolutionized how people handle death and how the connect. Without this I wouldn’t have been able to find out and deal with the information. Strange how things change.
Thank you for listening to my stories and reactions.
Sheridan
Grateful to Luangta Maha Bua for taking on challenge rather than comfort! (And for his going forth and life of teaching)
_/\_
Grateful to Luangta Maha Boowa for sharing his insights on arahatta magga phala. It’s controversial. Yet it serves as a guide to those who need it and most of all, gives us the confidence that it is possible to achieve enlightenment.
Sadhu