[4][5] Payutto was born as the fifth child of Samran and Chunkee Aryankura on 12 January 1938 in Si Prachan district, Suphan Buri province, Thailand.
After securing instructor qualifications, Payutto was appointed Associate Dean of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and had maintained this position for the following ten years.
He played an important role in modernizing Sangha's education by relating knowledge in Buddhism to contemporary social issues.
Payutto assumed the post of Deputy Abbot of Wat Phra Piren in 1973, but resigned three years later to dedicate himself to academic work.
He published a number of books and articles, and regularly attended academic seminars and conferences, surrounding himself with contemporary scholars and intellectuals.
Payutto strongly believes in strict interpretation of Pali Canon, very much in line with the Theravada tradition.
[11] Payutto has published a number of books that examine contemporary social issues, such as abortion, from a viewpoint of Buddhism.
Payutto stresses the Buddhist approach of middle path as the inevitable way to achieve peace and sustainable development.