Born in Thailand on December 11, 1931, Sobin S. Namto became a novice monk in 1945 at Wat Mahathat in Bangkok, under Abbot Somdej Phra Budthacharn, and began his study of Vipassanā there.

He was sent to Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar), for further study and then taught in Thailand.

Returning to Thailand, he resumed teaching and founded the Vidhayakorn Institute in Southern Thailand, He was one of the monks selected to establish the first Thai temple in Los Angeles, California, and was appointed its first Abbot.

After many years of teaching in North America, he returned to teach at the wat in his home village Wangplado, in Borabue, Maha Sarakham province, North-East Thailand.

Insight Meditation: Practical Steps to Ultimate Truth.