Page 116 - A Life Well-Lived Is a Beautiful Memory

Ajarn Bhanupong

Nidhiprabha (ABN):

My Moral Compass

Phongthorn Wrasai
14 March 2024

“It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we lost such a decent person, and even harder to
believe I was lucky enough to know him for nearly 30 years. Ajarn Bhanupong was more than
a teacher or a mentor to me; he was a dear friend. We first met in an economics class, but our

conversations quickly grew to include so much more than just our studies.
We would spend hours talking about classical music, and sharing our favorite pieces and
composers. He had such a passion for the arts, and he opened my eyes to the beauty of paintings too.
We did not always agree on everything, especially when it came to politics, but those discussions

were some of the best. They were never just debates; they were learning moments for us, filled
with respect and genuine curiosity.
He was a firm believer in fairness, working efficiently, and making sure everyone got a fair
chance. These concepts were more than just something he talked about; they influenced how

he lived. Working with him, first as a student, as a research assistant, and later as a colleague,
showed me what it means to apply those principles in real life. His fight against cancer showed
his incredible strength, and even then, he remained a guiding light for everyone around him.
During his illness, I often visited him after work, stayed beside his bed, and played classical

music from Spotify, hoping it would bring him some comfort. Even if he could not hear it, I wanted
to believe it had an impact. Reflecting on nearly three decades of friendship, his moral compass
stands out as the most important—a guide to doing what is right, being fair, and caring for others.
By his conduct, he served as my moral compass, showing me how to live a life characterized by

kindness and integrity.
Remembering him now, I think about more than the lessons he taught in class. I consider the
value of enthusiasm, whether for music, art, or making the world a better place. His conviction in
fairness, dedication to his work, and compassion have had a significant impact on me. By living

by those values and sharing them, I hope to keep his legacy alive.

116 A Life Well-Lived Is a Beautiful Memory