Defrocked monk Yantra Amaro has died

Yantra Amaro, the controversial monk of a controversial sect, dies at 73 at his California monastery

Yantra, whose legal name was Winai La-ongsuwan, died on Sunday at Sunnataram California Monastery in Escondido, according to the temple’s Facebook page.

The brief message did not give any details about his death.

The only statement was: “We convey our condolences to the Venerable Father who has passed into nirvana.”

Yantra gained a devoted following in the United States, Thailand, and elsewhere after he was defrocked from the Thai monkhood in 1994, following a highly publicized sex scandal involving his relationships with female disciples.

He fled to California, where he established a new monastery in Escondido, which he ran until the statute of limitations over the criminal cases against him expired in 2014 in Thailand.

Yantra also continued to wear robes similar to ordained monks after he was defrocked.

After 2014, the former monk made low-key visits to his followers in Thailand. His most recent trip to Thailand also finished just last month when he was spotted at Suvarnabhumi airport on Feb 6.

His devotees have sent condolence to the monastery’s social media platform, with hopes that he would rest in peace and reach nirvana.

Yantra is from Pak Panang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

His family at Pak Panang is arranging for the return of his body to the home district of Thairath Online where it will be kept for a religious ceremony.