Meet Ajahn Siripanyo: The billionaire's son who gave up Rs 40,000 crore to become a monk

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Monk Who Sold His Ferrari", Julian Mantle, a successful lawyer, sells his mansion and Ferrari to go on a spiritual journey. Julian Mantle was fictional, of course. But the story of Ajahn Siripanyo is real.

Siripanyo, the only son of billionaire Ananda Krishnan, made a remarkable choice to walk away from a life of opulence and immense wealth to embrace the ascetic life of a Buddhist monk. As the heir to a telecom empire valued at over Rs 40,000 crore ($5 billion), Ajahn Siripanyo's decision to forsake the luxuries and responsibilities that came with his father's vast business interests surprised many. Ananda Krishnan, also known as AK, has made his mark in the telecom industry and possesses diverse business ventures spanning telecommunications, media, oil and gas, real estate, and satellites.

His prominence is underscored by his ownership of Aircel, a prominent Indian phone company that once sponsored the illustrious IPL team, the Chennai Super Kings, captained by cricket legend MS Dhoni. Despite being groomed to inherit his father's substantial fortune, Ajahn Siripanyo chose a different path, one focused on spirituality and detachment from worldly possessions. Ananda Krishnan, a devoted Buddhist and philanthropist, is known for his charitable initiatives, but his son's decision to become a monk demonstrated an exceptional commitment to spiritual values.

While details about the exact motivation behind Siripanyo's decision remain private, reports suggest that he initially explored an ascetic lifestyle for amusement during a retreat. However, what started as a temporary experience evolved into a lifelong commitment. Renouncing his immense wealth and material comforts, Siripanyo chose to lead a modest existence, relying on