Ajahn Chah was born on June 17, 1918 in a small village in Ubon Ratchathani province, in the northeast region of Thailand. The village was called Baan Gor, and it was a rural farming community. His parents were farmers and he was the youngest of seven children. Ajahn Chah's given name was Chah Subhaddo, and he was given the nickname "Moo" by his family, which means "pig" in Thai.

Growing up, Ajahn Chah was known to be a curious and mischievous child. He was also very bright and determined. At the age of nine, he left home to pursue a monastic life as a novice monk. He was ordained as a monk at Wat Ban Klong, a nearby monastery, and given the name Chao Khun Bodhinyana Thera.

Ajahn Chah spent the next few years studying Buddhist teachings and practicing meditation at various monasteries in Thailand. However, it wasn't until he met the Venerable Ajahn Mun, a renowned forest monk, that he found his true calling. Ajahn Mun's teachings and way of life deeply inspired Ajahn Chah, and he decided to follow in his footsteps by becoming a forest monk.

In 1946, Ajahn Chah returned to his home village of Baan Gor and established a small forest monastery called Wat Nong Pah Pong. This would become the main monastery of the Thai Forest Tradition, a branch of Theravada Buddhism known for its emphasis on meditation and living in harmony with nature. Ajahn Chah's teachings and way of life attracted many students, both Thai and Western, and he became a highly respected and influential figure in the Buddhist community.

Ajahn Chah continued to teach and guide his students until his passing in 1992. Today, his teachings and legacy live on through the many monasteries and meditation centers that have been established by his students around the world. He is remembered as a humble, wise, and compassionate teacher who dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of the Buddha and helping others find inner peace and happiness.