Bhikkhu Kancano

Bhikkhu Kāncano was born on the 22nd of July, 1968 in Montijo, Portugal. He spent his early childhood in Germany, returning to his native country at age five to begin his education there. He served one year of compulsory military service in the Portuguese army and after completing his ‘A’ levels in 1987 he enrolled on a five year professional diploma, qualifying as a technician for the fashion industries. Shortly thereafter, he accepted an offer from a renowned multinational fashion company and worked with them for the next two years.

In 1995 he moved to the UK, where he started to pursue more seriously his long term interest in Buddhism. He attended a series of short courses and regular devotional practices at the London Buddhist Society in Victoria.
He worked in catering, as a silver service waiter and for six years as a Steward in St. Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London; the flexibility of his job allowed him to attend regular meditation retreats and to further his study in Buddhism.
In 2001 he made his first trip to Thailand. This was to be the turning point in his decision to go forth, something he had wished to do for many years. The visits to many different monasteries throughout the country, the attentive observation of the monks’ demeanor and simple lifestyle, as well as the opportunity to do some personal practice, were truly revealing and inspiring to him.

He left the UK in November 2003 for a short pilgrimage through India and Sri Lanka, before joining the monastic community in January 2004 in Thailand at Wat Pah Nanachat, the international monastery in the Ajahn Chah tradition.
On the 7th of July, 2005, after his initial one and a half year training as an Anagarika and Samanera, he received full ordination as a bhikkhu from the Venerable Luang Por Liem Thitadhammo, abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong.

In 2006 he had the opportunity to live and practise for nine months under the guidance of the Venerable Tan Ajahn Anan Akincano, abbot of Wat Marp Jun in Rayong, Thailand. While there, he also produced a book of talks from the Venerable Ajahn Chah translated into Portuguese.

This year he returned to the UK, to take dependence on the Venerable Luang Por Sumedho and join the community at Amaravati.

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