"Kamma is Greater than Everything"

 "Kamma is Greater than Everything"

The day the plane Thai Airways Flight 231 crashed was on the 27th of April, 1980. It was of great loss to the Buddha Sasana as 5 highly attained monks were killed in the crash, namely

Venerable Ajahn Wan

Venerable Ajahn Singthong

Venerable Ajahn Supat

Venerable Ajahn Juan

Venerable Ajahn Boonma

Luang Pu Boonsri said that whenever he thought about the events of that day, he would be deeply saddened. 

On April 22, 1980, the Royal Family invited a great many monks to the palace. Before the accident on the 26th of April, the Ajaans gathered at Wat Pa Ban Tat in preparation to depart and travel from Udon Thani province. Luang Ta Maha Bua was to take a van down south, while Phra Ajahn Wan, Phra Ajahn Juan, Phra Ajarn Bunma, Phra Ajarn Singthong and Phra Ajarn Suphat were going to travel by plane.

Luang Pu Boonsri wanted to take the plane with them, his Phor Mae Kruba Ajaan. Suddenly, Luang Ta Maha Bua called out to Luang Pu Boonsri, telling him to take the van together with him, so that they would get there first in preparation. Reverend Grandfather Boonsri admitted that he felt a little lost at that time, thinking in his heart, his Phor Mae Kruba Ajaan were on a plane - how could a van get there first?

As soon as the royal van or bus that Luang Ta Maha Bua and Luang Pu Boon Sri was on reached Rangsit (an exurb about 40 km north of Bangkok), they heard the news that the plane crashed and all 5 of the most highly esteemed monks died in this crash. 

The first words that Luang Ta Maha Bua said to Luang Pu was

"This is their kamma. Bunsri is not yet involved in their kamma."

Luang Pu shed tears and said, "I felt both sadness for my friends and appreciate the loving kindness of Luang Ta Maha Bua. If Luang Ta Maha Bua did not tell me to use the van on that day. Luang Pu would have died. 

But I still feel sorry for my friends."

Thereafter, Luang Ta ordered the bus driver to drive to the scene of the accident and said this, "Do you see that kamma is greater than anything. 

Even the Lord Buddha had to accept his kamma until the end of his life. If we are still alive, then goodness should be cultivated constantly. We don't know when we will die. Even if they knew, they could not escape, because of death is something no one can escape. While still alive, it is wise to accumulate a lot of goodness."

Luang Pu Bunsri Chanthachoto

Wat Pa Hin Howe

Maha Sarakham