Supreme Patriarch of Thailand
Encyclopedia
The Supreme Patriarch or Sangharaja
is the head of the order of Buddhist
monks in Thailand. The position is formally appointed by the King of Thailand, although the actual selection is made by senior clergymen. It was first established in 1782 at the founding of the Chakri dynasty by King Rama I.
The Supreme Patriarch has legal authority to oversee both of Thailand's Theravada
sub-orders, the Maha Nikaya
and the Thammayut Nikaya, as well as the small minority of Mahayana
Buddhists in the country. He is assisted by a Supreme Sangha Council, which is led by the Sangha Nayaka (literally "director of the sangha"). In the event that the position of Supreme Patriarch is vacant, the Sangha Council also nominates candidates for a successor to the king. There has been recent discussion about reforming the Thai Sangha's leadership structure, including a 2002 proposal which would have moved many of the Sangha Council's and the Supreme Patriarch's powers to a new executive council.
The incumbent Supreme Patriarch is Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana
Mahathera, who has served in this position since 1989. He is aged 96 and suffers from increasingly serious health problems. In 2003, because of questions about the Supreme Patriarch's ability to fulfill his duties, the government of Thailand appointed a special committee to act in his stead. In early 2004, Somdet Kiaw (also known as Buddhacharya) was appointed acting Supreme Patriarch.
Recent news of the Supreme Patriarch's worsening condition has led to considerable speculation in the Thai media about the identity of his eventual successor, similar to the speculation
that surrounds the Pope
at the end of his life. By tradition, the Supreme Patriarchate alternates between members of Thailand's two main Theravada Buddhist orders. Because Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana is of the Thammayut Nikaya, this implies that the next Supreme Patriarch will come from the Maha Nikaya. The acting Supreme Patriarch, Somdet Kiaw, is seen as a favorite, but he is actively opposed by Venerable Maha Bua, an influential monk.http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/03/04/headlines/data/headlines_16618614.htmlhttp://www.dhammatimes.com/archives/2005/03/050306-thaimonastic.htm
Sangharaja
Sangharaja is the title given in many Theravada Buddhist countries to a senior monk who is the titular head either of a monastic fraternity , or of the Sangha throughout the country...
is the head of the order of Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
monks in Thailand. The position is formally appointed by the King of Thailand, although the actual selection is made by senior clergymen. It was first established in 1782 at the founding of the Chakri dynasty by King Rama I.
The Supreme Patriarch has legal authority to oversee both of Thailand's Theravada
Theravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
sub-orders, the Maha Nikaya
Maha Nikaya
"Maha Nikaya" refers to one of the two principal sects of modern Thai Buddhism. The other principle sect is Dhammayuttika Nikaya...
and the Thammayut Nikaya, as well as the small minority of Mahayana
Mahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
Buddhists in the country. He is assisted by a Supreme Sangha Council, which is led by the Sangha Nayaka (literally "director of the sangha"). In the event that the position of Supreme Patriarch is vacant, the Sangha Council also nominates candidates for a successor to the king. There has been recent discussion about reforming the Thai Sangha's leadership structure, including a 2002 proposal which would have moved many of the Sangha Council's and the Supreme Patriarch's powers to a new executive council.
The incumbent Supreme Patriarch is Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana
Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana
Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara is the 19th and incumbent Supreme Patriarch of Thailand...
Mahathera, who has served in this position since 1989. He is aged 96 and suffers from increasingly serious health problems. In 2003, because of questions about the Supreme Patriarch's ability to fulfill his duties, the government of Thailand appointed a special committee to act in his stead. In early 2004, Somdet Kiaw (also known as Buddhacharya) was appointed acting Supreme Patriarch.
Recent news of the Supreme Patriarch's worsening condition has led to considerable speculation in the Thai media about the identity of his eventual successor, similar to the speculation
Papabile
Papabile is an unofficial Italian term first coined by Vaticanologists and now used internationally in many languages to describe a cardinal of whom it is thought likely or possible that he will be elected pope. A literal English translation would be "popeable" or "one who might become pope".In...
that surrounds the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
at the end of his life. By tradition, the Supreme Patriarchate alternates between members of Thailand's two main Theravada Buddhist orders. Because Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana is of the Thammayut Nikaya, this implies that the next Supreme Patriarch will come from the Maha Nikaya. The acting Supreme Patriarch, Somdet Kiaw, is seen as a favorite, but he is actively opposed by Venerable Maha Bua, an influential monk.http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/03/04/headlines/data/headlines_16618614.htmlhttp://www.dhammatimes.com/archives/2005/03/050306-thaimonastic.htm
List of Supreme Patriarchs
| Ceremonial name | Secular name | Religious name | Tenure (Buddhist Era) |
Tenure (common era) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana | Sri | BE 2325 –BE 2337 |
1782–1794 | |
| 2. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana | Suk | BE 2337 –BE 2359 |
1794–1816 | |
| 3. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana | Mee | BE 2359 –BE 2362 |
1816–1819 | |
| 4. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana | Suk | Nyanasamvara | BE 2363 –BE 2365 |
1820–1822 |
| 5. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana | Don | BE 2365 –BE 2385 |
1822–1842 | |
| 6. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsanana | Nag | BE 2386 –BE 2392 |
1843–1849 | |
| 7. Somdet Kromma Phra Paramanujit Jinorasa | Prince Vasugri | Suvannarangsi | BE 2394 –BE 2396 |
1851–1853 |
| 8. Somdet Krom Phraya Pavares Variyalongkorn | Prince Rurk | Pañāṇaaggata | BE 2396 –BE 2435 |
1853–1892 |
| 9. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana Ariyavangsagatayana, 9th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana Somdet Phra Sangharaja was the 9th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand 1893–1899. He was born in 1812 in the Nonthaburi Province as Sa Pussadeva. Prior to becoming supreme patriarch, he was a monk of the Rajapradit Temple... |
Sa | Pussadeva | BE 2436 –BE 2442 |
1893–1899 |
| 10. Somdet Krom Phraya Vajirananavarorasa Vajirananavarorasa Vajirananavarorasa was the 10th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand from 1910 to 1921... |
Prince Manusyanagamanob | BE 2453 –BE 2464 |
1910–1921 | |
| 11. Somdet Kromma Luang Jinavorn Sirivaddhana | Prince Bhujong Jombhunuj | Sirivaddhana | BE 2464 –BE 2480 |
1921–1937 |
| 12. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana | Phae | Tissadeva | BE 2481 –BE 2487 |
1938–1944 |
| 13. Somdet Kromma Luang Vajirananavangsa | Momrajavong Chuen Noppavong | Sucitta | BE 2488 –BE 2501 |
1945–1958 |
| 14. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana | Plod Ketuthat | Kittisobhana | BE 2503 –BE 2505 |
1960–1962 |
| 15. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana | Yoo | Nanodayo | BE 2506 –BE 2508 |
1963–1966 |
| 16. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana Ariyavangsagatayana, 16th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana Somdet Phra Sangharaja or simply known as Ariyavangsagatayana was the 16th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand 1965–1971 . He was born in 1897 as Juan Sirisom in the Rajburi province. He was a member of the Makutkrasattriyaram Temple. He died in 1971... |
Chuan Sirisom | Utthayi | BE 2508 –BE 2514 |
1965–1971 |
| 17. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana Ariyavangsagatayana, 17th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana Somdet Phra Sangharaja, or simply known as Ariyavangsagatayana, was briefly the 17th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand . He was born in 1896 as Pun Punnasiri in the Supanburi province. He was a member of the Chetupon Temple. He reigned only for 1 year and 4... |
Pun Sukcharoen | Punnasiri | BE 2515 –BE 2516 |
1972–1973 |
| 18. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana Ariyavangsagatayana, 18th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana Somdet Phra Sangharaja, or simply known as Ariyavangsagatayana was the 18th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand 1973–1988 . He was born 1897 within the Ayudthaya province as Vasana Vasano. He was a monk of the Rajaborpit Temple. He died in 1988, at age 90, after a reign... |
Vasana Nilprapha | Vasano | BE 2516 –BE 2531 |
1973–1988 |
| 19. Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara | Charoen Khotchawat | Suvaddhana | BE 2532 –present |
1989–present |
External links
- English website of the Supreme Patriarch
- A website with information about each Supreme Patriarch
- Entry on the current Supreme Patriarch at Everything2Everything2Everything2, Everything2, or E2 for short is a collaborative Web-based community consisting of a database of interlinked user-submitted written material. E2 is moderated for quality, but has no formal policy on subject matter...
- Buddhism in contemporary Thailand, information from Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University
- Buddhism in Thailand, information from Dhammathai.org
- A Review of Reform Movements in Thai Buddhism by Dr. Tavivat Puntarigvivat