Phra Viriyang Sirintharo (original Buddhist name of Phra Tepjetiyajarn) was born in Saraburi, a small province in the northeastern Thailand on January 7, 1920. His father had worked for The State Railway of Thailand as a station master. At the age of fifteen, he began his lifetime devotion to nourish Buddhism prosperity. To enter the priesthood, Phra Viriyang formal education had to be stopped at grade 5. However, his works as an instructor has been widely recognized. In 1995, The National Institute of Development Administration of Thailand awarded Phra Viriyang an honorary doctorate degree in development administration. In 2002, he was awarded another two honorary doctorate degrees in informal education and educational technique from Mahamakhut Rajavidhyalai University and Rajabhat Institute Suan Sunandha respectively.

To follow the Buddha footsteps, Phra Viriyang has practiced meditation since he was a novice. He was a student of the Venerable Phra Ajan Kongma Jirapanyo and the Venerable Ajan Man Puritto, who is the master of meditation. The young Phra Viriyang had always hoped to teach people the valuable knowledge he had learnt from his prestigious teachers; that is a meditation method as well as various practical skills to help poor people improving their lives.

Phra Viriyang established the Willpower Institute at Dhammamongkol temple in 1997 to campaign the project called ‘The Meditation Project for World Peace'. The main objective of this institute is clearly stated as follows "to create a peaceful life for everyone in the world, so people can live with a healthy physical body and mind. The project neither requires anything in return nor does it compel anyone to follow or to convert from his or her own belief. It is merely a useful recommendation of ways and means to lead a happy and peaceful life through daily meditation practice".

This institute offered various meditation courses inspired by Buddhist virtues – Dhamma. Two basics yet universal Dhamma – Ahingsa Dhamma or non-violence and Metta Dhamma – kindness are mainly focused in classes. One of the most distinguished courses is called Meditation Instructor Training course. The course objective is to "train the trainer". In this class, students are not only able to effectively practice meditation for their own benefits, but also able to teach others as well. This course has already trained thousands of meditation instructors to convey love and peace to the world.

Phra Viriyang's strong will to educate people was not geographically limited merely his home base of Thailand. The Willpower Institute, Canada chapter was founded in 1998. Phra Viriyang, then seventy nine years old, learnt English himself and overcame a language barrier to instruct the course he invented in English. His students came from various races, religions, and educational backgrounds. Phra Viriyang merciful efforts were warmly welcomed by the Canadian government and media as his curriculums has been introduced in several universities in Canada .

In fact, Phra Viriyang's role of educator and developer started long before his days at the Willpower Institute. To expand educational opportunity for those who lacks of good opportunities, he constructed three Buddhist colleges in 1969 and child development centers in 1976. Up to date, five hundred centers were established nationwide. His works also include a vocational school founded 1996 during the Asian economic crisis at the basement of the giant pagoda in Dhammamongkol temple, sixteen temples nationwide, and seven Thai temples in Canada.

Nowadays, Phra Viriyang in his eighties has yet retired. His vision in education continues with great supports from both government and private sectors. His recent project of Chanapatana International Design Institute in cooperation of Accademia Italiana, Italy, was established in 2000. The institute, which is a design school offering two diploma programs in product and interior design and fashion design, as well as various design-related lectures and courses, aims to help Thai designers becoming competitive in the world market.

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