The Venerable Maha Kittipan was born in the Northeast province of Udonthani. He is also a speaker of Lao and Thai and is now learning English. The Venerable Maha Kittipan is 38

years old and has been ordained for 19 years. The Venerable was ordained at Wat Bodhisomphon as a novice and was then ordained a monk in 1992 at Wat Buraphavan, Udornthani. The venerable went to live at Wat Bhodhisomphon, Udornthani where he studied and passed the 4th grade Pali language studies. Before coming to America he was residing at Wat Phra Ram Gow.

The Venerable was born and raised in Midland Michigan. Venerable Khemasanto was first ordained as a novice in 1968 at Wat Bovornives, Bangkok, Thailand. He was given the name Dhammaramo at that time. He took higher ordination as a monk (Bhikkhu) in 1969 at the same temple. His Preceptor was Chao Khun Sasanasophorn (Presently His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch).

In 1970 - 1976 he went to live at various forest temples, training in that tradition.

From 1976 to 1993 he worked with various non-profit international aid organizations, mostly on the Thai/Cambodian border, including two years in Cambodia.

In 1993 he re-ordained at Wat Bovornives with the Supreme Patriarch Somdet Nanasanvara as his preceptor and given the name Khemasanto. Until 1999 he spent training under teachers in the Northeast of Thailand. Coming to America in 1999 at the request of his aging parents. While in the USA he was invited by the Asian and American community to remain and help to set up a Theravada monastery in the forest tradition. Venerable Khemasanto was approved as abbot of Wat Dhammasala by the Thai Council of Elders in 2001. Venerable Khemasanto has been a monk for 17 years from his last ordination.