The third-richest man in Malaysia's heir gives up his $5 billion fortune to become a Monk
Unexpectedly, the heir to Malaysia's third-richest person, Ananda Krishnan, has decided to give his life to spirituality as a Buddhist monk instead of keeping his great fortune. Son of the multi-billionaire corporate magnate, Ajahn Siripanyo left an inheritance of around Rs 40,000 crore to lead a life of simplicity and service. He is the abbot of the Dtao Dum Monastery, which is situated on the Myanmar/Thailand border.
Among the richest people in Southeast Asia, Ananda Krishnan, 86, runs a varied business empire spanning media, energy, and telecoms. Among his holdings are significant interests in companies like Aircel, a now-bankrupt mobile phone company that had sponsored the well-known Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai Super Kings, and Maxis, a telecom behemoth in Malaysia.
Ajahn Siripanyo's route in life differed greatly from the material world, even with his father's enormous corporate empire. Just eighteen years old, he decided boldly to abandon the luxury and comforts accompanying his family's fortune. Nobody objected to his decision to adopt a monastic life. Actually, his father, a devoted Buddhist himself, greeted it with understanding and encouragement.
Being descended from the Thai royal line, Momwajarongse Suprinda Chakraban, Ajahn Siripanyo's mother, also comes from a notable background. But Ajahn Siripanyo's dedication to spiritual life never wavered even with such famous familial ties.
Many people have been fascinated by this choice since it is unusual for heirs of such large wealth to abandon the opulent lifestyle they were raised into. For Ajahn Siripanyo, however, the quest of inner serenity and spiritual development came first over riches and social achievement. The modest surroundings of the monastery he currently resides in allow him to concentrate on meditation, instruction, and serving others; the lavish way of life of the ultra-wealthy is drastically different here.
Although Ajahn Siripanyo's path shows a deep-rooted belief in Buddhist teachings, which emphasise selflessness, detachment from material goods, and the development of knowledge, the lifestyle he has chosen is a significant change from the high-powered commercial world. It is a striking illustration of how one may pick a different road independent of their level of riches or position.
The narrative of Ajahn Siripanyo similarly emphasises the difficult interaction of riches, family, and moral principles. For Ananda Krishnan, the relationship between father and son is obviously strong and based on mutual respect for each other, even if the decision made by his son would seem amazing to the outside world.
In a society when wealth and rank sometimes rule, Ajahn Siripanyo's decision to follow a spiritual road instead of a business one provides a welcome reminder of the power of personal choice and the need of discovering real pleasure outside of financial means. It is a wonderful narrative of how even individuals born into great riches may decide to live a life of simplicity, tranquilly, and spiritual fulfilment.
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