There have been seven former abbots, three of whom were Supreme Patriarchs. The present abbot is the eighth. The abbots following King Mongkut to the present are:
2.) His Holiness Prince Pavares Variyalongkorn. (Thai title: Somdet Pra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Pavares Variyalongkorn (birth title: Phra Ong Chao Rerk), the second abbot from 1851 – 1892.
3.) His Holiness Prince Vajiranyanavarorassa. (Thai title: Somdet Pra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Vajiranyanavarorassa (birth title: Phra Ong Chao Manussanagmanop), the third abbot from 1892 – 1921,
4.) His Holiness Somdet Pra Sangharaj Chao Krom Luang Vajiranyanavongse (birth title: Mom Rajawong Chuen Nopavongse), fourth abbot from 1921 – 1958, and
5.) Phra Phrommuni (Pin Dhammapratheep, Suvaco), fifth abbot from 1958 – 1961.
6.) His Holiness Somdet Pra Sangharaj Chao Krom Luang Vajiranyanasamvara (birth name: Charoen Ghotchawat, Suvaddhano), 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, sixth abbot from 1961-2013.
7.) Somdet Pra Vanarat (Jund Brahmanapitak, Brahamagutto), seventh abbot from 2015-2022.
8.) Phra Phrom Vajirarangsee (Jirapol Bhromthong, Adhicitto), eighth abbot, March 9, 2023 – present.
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Prince Pavares Variyalongkorn (1809-1893)
Second Abbot (1851-1893)
Birth: 14 September 1809
Abbot: 1851-1893
Death: 28 September 1893
Prince Pavares Variyalongkorn was born on Thursday, September 14, 1809. He was the twenty-first child of Prince Jui and the first child of Noi Lek. As he was born at the commencement of the coronation ceremonies, King Rama II named him “Rerk”, or “Auspicious Time”. Subsequently, Prince Jui was appointed to the position of Viceroy during the reign of Rama II, under the title of Maha Senanurak.
When Maha Senanurak passed away, Princess Thepayavadee, Prince Pavares’ paternal aunt, took him to live in the Grand Palace, with Prince Mongkut (Rama IV) as his protege. Therefore, Prince Mongkut and Prince Rerk were well acquainted since their youth.
Prince Pavares was ordained as a novice in 1822 and resided at Wat Mahadhatu with his preceptor, the 3rd Supreme Patriarch (Mee). He studied the fundamentals of the Pali language with Phra Nyanasombodhi (Rod) Chamnichamnan, and later passed an oral exam, conducted in the presence of Pali teachers convening at the Former Palace. In 1826, he contracted smallpox and had to return to lay life in order to regain his health. After he regained his health, Maha Sakdi Phol Sep, the Viceroy during the Third Reign, wanted him to ordain as a novice again, which he did. The prince remained a novice until he was fully twenty years of age in 1829. In preparing for the higher (bhikkhu) ordination ceremony, King Rama III had Prince Pavares disrobe first, to partake in a pre-ordination celebration, along with the king’s younger brother, Celestial Prince Abhorn, who was preparing for novice ordination. Prince Pavares’ preceptor was the 5th Supreme Patriarch (Don), Prince Paramanuchitchinorot, and Phra Vinayarakkhita were his teachers.
Prince Mongkut received higher ordination in the traditional Thai Order in 1824, however, due to his concerns relating to the Monastic Code, he subsequently received ordination in the Mon lineage and moved to Wat Samorrai (Wat Rajadhiwat). Prince Pavares followed his example and was re-ordained in a water boundary, with Phra Sumedhacariya (Buddhavamso, Sai) as his preceptor, and Prince Mongkut as his teacher. He was given formal Dhamma training under the tutelage of Phra Vichienprecha (Poo), a royal scholar.
Later, after King Rama III had conferred an ecclesiastical title upon Prince Mongkut, the king gave the fan formerly used by Prince Mongkut to Prince Pavares. The embroidered fan, made of linen with silver threads, was equal in level to those held by Pali scholars.
In 1836, King Rama III invited Prince Mongkut to become abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, having him moved from Wat Rajadhiwat to Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in a large boat procession. Prince Pavares came to reside at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara at that time, accompanying Prince Mongkut in the flotilla.
In 1849, King Rama III conferred an ecclesiastical title upon Prince Pavares, complete with fan, robes, and other regalia. The fan, known as “tome pat” in Thai, consisted of a copper frame, painted with multi-colored enamel—unusual when compared to the ubiquitous, embroidered fan. King Rama III passed away in 1851, and was succeeded by Prince Mongkut (Rama IV). In that same year, the king conferred the title of Krom on Prince Pavares. The abbreviated version of his name was: kroma muen bowonransi suriyapan. However, the long version, as recorded on a gold plate, is as follows:
phra chao varavong ter kroma muen bowonransi suriyapan piya bhromacariyadhammavarayut patibat sudhaghananayaka buddhasasana dilokpavaraybanpajit sabbadhammikakiccakosol suvimolpricha pannyaagga mahasamanudom borombopit
On that occasion, the king offered Prince Pavares two fans: the first, the handle and finial were made of ivory, the finial was carved in the form of a crown. The fan body was embroidered with gold thread, with a crown motif visible in the center. The second fan was made up entirely of ivory. Phraya Sudhammontri (Boonsri Buranasiri) created this fan for Rama IV, to offer to Prince Pavares. This fan reflected his position as head of the Dhammayut Order.
When Prince Chulalongkorn (Rama V, r. 1868-1910) was ordained as a novice on July 19, 1866, Prince Pavares acted as his preceptor, and again, seven years later, when King Chulalongkorn received the higher ordination as a bhikkhu, on October 3rd, 1873. (cont…)
Prince Vajiranyanvarorasa (1860-1921)
Third Abbot (1893-1921)
Birth: 12 April 1860
Abbot: 1893-1921
Death: 2 August 1921
Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa was born on Thursday, April 12, 1860. He was the forty-seventh son of King Mongkut (Rama IV) and the fourth child of Pae, a first-class consort. His father named him Manusyanagmanop, or ‘young man who is a Naga amongst human beings’. The reason for this unusual name was that the prince was born during a downpour, and nagas (supernatural serpents) are associated with water.
The following year, the prince’s mother died after giving birth to her fifth child. Her five children were: Princess Ying Yaowalak, Princess Pak Pimonphan, Prince Kasemsan Sopak, Prince Manusyanagmanop, and Princess Banjopbenjama. Princess Vorasetsuda (Phra Ong Chao Putri), a daughter of King Rama III and Tao-song-kandan, was a relative of Pae and took in all five children.
Prince Vajiranyana’s preliminary education was conducted by the ladies of the inner court. Ms. Nok, daughter of Phra Sri Virot, taught the Siamese alphabet and reading, while Princess Vorasetsuda taught math. At the age of eight, he undertook the study of Pali language and Khmer script with Phraya Pariyatti Dhammatada (Piam), along with many of his half-siblings, at the Suddhaisawan hall, in the Grand Palace. He could translate the Dhammapada before he was ordained as a novice. Furthermore, he studied English and French with Francis Patterson, as well as other contemporary subjects.
Prince Vajiranyana was ordained as a novice at the age of fourteen, along with several of his half-brothers, in the Chapel of the Emerald Buddha on August 7, 1873. Prince Pavares Variyalongkorn was his preceptor, while Prince Thammunhisa administered the Refuges and Precepts. He resided at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara for two and a half months before returning to lay life.
At the age of twenty, the prince received higher, bhikkhu ordination at the Emerald Buddha Chapel on Friday, June 27, 1879, with the monastic name Manusanago, given to him by his preceptor, Prince Pavares Variyalongkorn. His teacher (kammavacacariya) was Phra Candara Gocarakhun (Yim, Candavamso).
After having spent his first rains retreat at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa went to reside at Wat Makutkasatriyaram, to study the Dhamma with Phra Candara Gocarakhun and he studied the Pali language with Phra Brohmmuni (Fang, Kittisaro). While there, he underwent a reaffirmation of his ordination (dalhikamma) on a raft in front of Wat Rajadhiwas, as per Dhammayut tradition for royals, on January 3, 1879. His preceptor was Phra Candara Gocarakhun (Yim, Candavamso), while his teacher was Phra Trailokacariya (Dej Thanacaro), abbot of Wat Thepsirintarawat, was his teacher.
After the prince had been in the Order for three years, he applied for the Pali oral exams, which took place in the Green Room of the Phra Borom Rajasathit Maholarn. The committee was made up of ten senior monks under the direction of Prince Pavares Variyalongkorn. At that time, Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa passed the Fifth level of Pali studies and translated the Dhammapada Commentary, Mangalatthadipani, and the Saratthasamgaha.
King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) bestowed the title of Kroma Muen Vajiranyanavarorasa upon his younger brother in 1881, giving him a senior ecclesiastical rank, designating him a secondary leader (chao gana rong) of the Dhammayut Order.
In 1891, H.H. Prince Paveres Variyalongkorn, the second abbot, passed away. King Chulalongkorn appointed Prince Vajiranyanarorasa as the new abbot. Two years later, in 1893, the king elevated his younger brother’s ecclesiastical rank from secondary head (Chao gana rong) to ecclesiastic head (chao gana) of the Dhammayut Order, making him the second person to hold that title after Prince Paveres Variyalongkorn.
After becoming the abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, Prince Vajiranyanarorasa conceived many ideas for the development of Buddhism in Siam. He designed programs that were first tested in Wat Bowonniwet Viaha to learn the pros and cons. After making adjustments and believing those programs would benefit the religion as a whole, he expanded his findings far and wide.
Buddhist studies using the Thai language
Prince Vajiranyanarorasa directed new monks and novices to study the Dhamma and Vinaya in Thai to familiarize themselves with the basic teachings in a short time. He taught them himself and introduced new written exams, replacing the old-fashioned oral method. Subsequently, many monks and novices, both new and old, adopted this new method, prompting others to replicate it in their monasteries. Seeing positive results with the new method, His Holiness developed a syllabus, known as Nak Dhamm, which serves as the basic curriculum of the Thai monastic Order to the present day. It is the Thai-based language used in the study (Pariyatti) of the Buddha’s Word, coupled with Pali, which has been used since ancient times.
Founding of Mahamakuta Rajavidyalaya
Prince Vajiranyanarorasa founded the Mahamakuta Rajavidyalay, later known as Mahamakut Buddhist University. It was intended to be a center for ordained and lay Buddhists to study Buddhism and related subjects, using the newly introduced written testing methods. Monks and novices who completed the course were given an academic title, the same as those who passed the traditional Pali exams known as “Parian,” though in this case the title was called Parian Mahamakut. Unfortunately, this course of study lasted only eight years before it was discontinued due to Prince Vajiranyanarorasa’s workload in monastic affairs.
Founding of Mahamakuta Rajavidyalaya Printing House
Due to the many subjects taught at Mahamakuta Rajavidyalaya, there was a great need for textbooks. Prince Vajiranyanarorasa founded the Mahamakuta Rajavidyalaya Printing House to print books and manuals in sufficient quantities to meet the growing number of students. He used the same printing press that printed the Tipitaka during the Fifth Reign, and the same building that his august father, King Mongkut, built when he was a monk at Wat Bowonniwet. Unfortunately, the overhead costs were so great that the printing house had to shut down after only eight years. Other printing houses with lower overhead were hired to print the necessary materials.
Dhammacaksu Magazine
One year after founding Mahamakuta Rajavidyalaya, Prince Vajiranyanarorasa launched a monthly periodical, Dhammacaksu (Eye of the Dhamma), which published Buddhist-themed articles and related news for the public. One of the periodical’s aims was to provide Mahamakuta Rajavidyalaya students with a platform for practicing translation and creative writing. Dhammacaksu is the first Thai Buddhist magazine and is now over a century old.
Prince Vajiranyanarorasa was an erudite scholar, knowledgeable in Pali, Sanskrit, English, and French. He composed the curriculum for the study of Buddhism known as Nak Dham (three levels) and authored the textbooks used to study Pali grammar. He wrote in Pali and Thai on various subjects, with over 200 titles to his credit.
Prince Vajiranyanarorasa was abbot of Wat Bowonniwet for thirty years. He reshaped the Thai monastic Order, both the Mahanikaya and the Dhammayut, bringing it into the modern period in both education and practice. He was preceptor (upajjhaya) to two future Thai kings, Rama VI and Rama VII, or Prince Vajiravudh, Crown Prince of Siam, and Prince Prajadhipok, Prince of Sukhothai, respectively. The former was ordained in 1902 and the latter in 1917.
Prince Vajiranyanarorasa suffered from tuberculosis for many years. In 1921, at age 60, his condition declining, he boarded a ship for Songkla, where he hoped to receive treatment. Unfortunately, he did not improve, and his condition only worsened. Sensing that his time was near, on July 28, 1921, he boarded a train bound for Bangkok and returned to Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. On August 2, 1921, His Holiness passed away at 10:35 a.m., at the age of sixty and three months. He was the tenth Supreme Patriarch of the Ratanakosin period and served in that position for 10 years and 7 months. His state cremation was held at Sanam Luang in April, 1922.
H.H. Somdet Phra Sangharaj Chao Kroma Luang Vairanyanavongse (MR Chuen Nopavongse)
Fourth Abbot (1921 – 1958)
Birth: 22 November 1872
Abbot 1921-1958
Death: 11 November 1958
Somdet Phra Sangharaj Chao Kroma Luang Vairanyanavongse was born Hmom Rajavongse [MR] Chuen Nopavongse on Friday, November 22, 1872, the son of His Serene Highness (Hmom Chao [MC]) Thnom and Hmom Aim. His paternal grandfather was Prince Kroma Muen Mahesvara Sivavilas (Phra Ong Chao Nopavongse), the first-born son of King Mongkut, before he ascended the throne. Hmom Rajavongse Chuen was born in his father’s residence in the Nopavongse palace, which once stood on the eastern side of the Banglampoo canal, opposite to Wat Bowonniwet. The palace no longer exists.
His Holiness studied the rudiments of the Thai language in the Nopavongse Palace in his youth, prior to his ordination as a novice (samanera). At an appropriate age, he turned his attention towards royal service and became a royal page to HRH Prince Vajirunhis, Crown Prince of Siam, during the reign of Rama V. He was a cadet in the equestrian infantry division of the security detail for the Crown Prince, and his assignment was to accompany the Crown Prince when he was on duty. He resided in the Grand Palace at the residence of Princess Srinagsawat, his tutor and benefactor.
Lower Ordination (Pabbajja)
After reaching the appropriate age for novice ordination in 1885 and taking leave of HRH Prince Vajirunhis, His Holiness was ordained as a novice (samanera) at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. Phra Brommuni (Meun, Sumitto) of Wat Boromniwas was his preceptor. At that time, His Holiness Kroma Praya Pavares was advanced in years and had ceased to serve as preceptor, but permitted other qualified monks to act as preceptors and for the ordinand to reside in the monastery. According to an oral tradition, His Serene Highness Thanom, His Holiness’s father, brought him to Prince Vajiranyanvarorasa, then still holding the title of Kroma Muen, requesting that he serve as his son’s teacher and benefactor. When Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa went to reside at Wat Makutkasatriyaram, His Holiness Vajiranayanavongse accompanied him. With Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa’s guidance, as well as that of Hmom Chao Phra Pabhakorn and Phra Suddhasilasamvorn, he passed the 5th grade of Pali studies while still a novice.
Higher Ordination (Upasampada)
His Holiness received higher ordination at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara on June 27, 1892, with Phra Phrommuni (Kittisaro, Fang), of Wat Makutkasatriyaram, as preceptor, and Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa as teacher (kammavacacariya).
Her Majesty, Sri Savarindhira, the Queen Mother, mother of Crown Prince Vajirunhis and Prince Mahidol, Prince of Songkla, and later Queen Grandmother to Rama VIII and Rama IX, was a royal patron of both lower and higher ordinations and offered her support to His Holiness Vajiranayanavongse for the rest of her life.
King Chulalongkorn and Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa founded the Mahamakuta Rajavidyalaya on October 1, 1893. It was an institution for higher Buddhist studies (pariyatti dhamma) in Pali, where students were tested, making it one of two venues for Pali examinations in Siam. The first, Sanam Luang, examinations were conducted in the palace by erudite scholar monks, and the second, the Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya. Both institutions produced Pali scholars, known as parian.
Somdet Phra Sangharaj Chao Kroma Luang Vairanyanavongse, when he still held the title of MR Phra Chuen Parian, was one of the first teachers at Mahamakut. In 1894, two years after his higher ordination, he passed the Pali 7 examinations.
His Holiness’s activities and assistance to Prince Vajiranyanavarorasa’s education reforms during King Chulalongkorn’s reign are too numerous, and possibly too cumbersome, to relate here, but can be summarized as follows.
In 1902, with the Ecclesiastical Governance Act, a direct result of the aforementioned reforms, Somdet Phra Sangharaj Chao Kroma Luang Vairanyanavongse was appointed Ecclesiastical Governor of Chantaburi District.
In 1924, Somdet Phra Sangharaj Chao Kroma Luang Vairanyanavongse was appointed Ecclesiastical Governor of Ayuddhya District. (He remained in this position until 1928, when he acquired the ecclesiastical title of Somdet)
In 1933, His Holiness became President of the Supreme Sangha Council, replacing His Holiness Prince Jinavorn Siriwat (Somdet Phra Maha Somana Chao Kroma Phra Jinavorn Visuddhi Devarayavongse) of Wat Rajabopit, due to age-related illness.
In 1942, His Holiness was appointed Chairman of the Ecclesiastical Judicature, a position formed by the Ecclesiastical Governance Act of 1941.
In 1945, His Holiness became the thirteenth Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
Titles
In the reign of Rama V
In 1896, King Chulalongkorn offered the ecclesiastical title of Phra Sugunganaborn to His Holiness.
In 1903, King Chulalongkorn elevated the title to Phra Nyanavaraborn, the level of Thep, special class.
In the reign of Rama VI
In 1912, King Vajiravudh elevated the title to the level of “Dham,” using the old name.
In the reign of Rama VII
In 1928, King Rama VII bestowed upon His Holiness the ecclesiastical title of Somdet, with the name Somdet Phra Vajiranyanavongse.
In the reign of Rama VIII
King Ananda Mahidol installed His Holiness as the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand on January 31, 1945.
First Illness
In 1949, His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch fell ill with gallstones and was admitted to Chulalongkorn Hospital. Doctors performed two surgeries to remove his gallbladder. Later, members of the royal family, his disciples, and devotees funded the construction of a building for sick monks and novices at Chulalongkorn Hospital. This building was erected as a memorial to his recovery and was named the “Samakkee Phayaban” Building.
Second Illness
Later in 1956, His Holiness fell ill with dysentery in early January. This condition subsequently developed into enteritis (inflammation of the intestines), resulting in blood in his stool. He had to be admitted to the Samakkee Phayaban Building at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Doctors performed two abdominal surgeries. According to the medical report, the first surgery removed a lesion in the intestines, as it was causing severe bleeding that could not be stopped by any other method. Afterward, a section of his intestines became twisted with the peritoneum (abdominal fascia), requiring a second surgery to remove that part of the fascia. His life successfully passed through these critical dangers.
Their Majesties the King and Queen visited him multiple times during his illness and extended their continued royal patronage. It is understood that His Majesty the King had made a firm vow that once the Supreme Patriarch recovered, he would ordain into the monkhood. As the Supreme Patriarch miraculously recovered, His Majesty decided to fulfill this vow. Since he regarded this Supreme Patriarch—who had provided great personal benevolence to him—as his preceptor, he wished to repay the kindness of his royal ancestors according to royal tradition. Consequently, His Majesty visited to present offerings and declare himself a candidate for ordination under the Supreme Patriarch at the ordination hall of Wat Bowonniwet Vihar on September 22, 1956. When the day arrived on October 22, 1956, His Majesty was ordained as a monk at the ordination hall of Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) before a monastic assembly of 30 monks, with His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch, his royal preceptor, presiding over the ordination ceremony. The ceremony was completed at 4:23 PM. Afterward, His Majesty proceeded to the Phra Phuttha Rattana Sathan Ordination Hall to undergo the Thanhikam (a re-ordination or reaffirmation ceremony according to royal tradition) before a monastic assembly of 15 monks from the Dhammayuttika Nikaya order, with the Supreme Patriarch again presiding. This concluded at 5:43 PM. His Majesty then traveled by royal automobile alongside the Supreme Patriarch to Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, passing through a massive crowd of citizens who had gathered to witness his royal grace along both sides of the road all the way to the temple. He remained in the monkhood, practicing the Dhamma and monastic discipline under the guidance of the Supreme Patriarch at Wat Bowonniwet Vihar for 15 nights, and left the monkhood on November 5, 1956.
During his time in the monkhood, His Majesty fully and strictly observed all the daily duties of a Buddhist monk. It is revealed that before his ordination, he had thoroughly prepared himself by reading the monastic discipline (Vinaya) and practicing its application. Since his time in the monkhood was limited, he possessed a strong royal determination to fully comply with all disciplinary rules and daily monastic routines. This brought immense joy and happiness to the general public, perfectly reflecting the blessings bestowed upon him by His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch. This occurred when His Majesty visited to take his leave from the monkhood at the Banchob Benchama [His Holiness’s] residence on November 3, 1956, during which the Supreme Patriarch stated that:
“Whatever merit and wholesome deeds I have rightfully performed through body, speech, and mind, I humbly dedicate all those portions of merit to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty rejoice in this dedicated merit as if you had performed it yourself. May Your Majesty abide in happiness, free from all suffering, both day and night. May Your Majesty witness only prosperity at all times, and never experience even the slightest decline. May you be fully endowed with long life, health, strength, fortune, honor, praise, and happiness forevermore.”
“Regarding this ordination, I am displeased with myself for not being able to fully perform my duties in service to Your Majesty, as I have been ill and have not yet recovered to this day. On the contrary, Your Majesty has performed your royal monastic duties to the absolute best of your ability. This is evident as Buddhists, both inside and outside the country, universally rejoice in this merit. They look forward to Your Majesty’s prosperity and happiness, wishing for Your Majesty to prosper evermore, serving as the spiritual anchor of the nation and of all who revere Buddhism.”
“Speaking of ‘Barami’ (spiritual perfections), you should know that the word ‘Barami’ means accumulating goodness or cultivating familiarity with goodness. This is the exact opposite of ‘Asava’ (mental influxes or defilements), which means accumulating badness or causing badness to arise and multiply. Barami is not directly the same as merit (punya). The merit that a person has made results in happiness at its own time and season. However, that familiarity with or accumulation of goodness is what constitutes Barami. Conversely, doing evil or causing damage and harm constitutes sin (papa). That too yields bad results to the doer at its own time and season, but the doer also becomes familiar with that evil or sin, and this is the Asava part. Barami arises because of knowing what is good and right. Asava arises because of knowing what is bad and wrong. Therefore, in the end, Barami wins over Asava.”
“May all spiritual perfections and royal virtues flourish evermore upon Your Majesty.”
Krom Title
His Majesty the King graciously elevated the ecclesiastical and royal status of his Preceptor to the rank of Somdet Phra Sangharaj Chao Kroma Luang Vairanyanavongse. The royal ceremony was held at the ordination hall of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara on December 20, 1956. During the ceremony, the fan of Somdet Phra Mahasamana Chao Kromma Phraya Vajiranyanavarorasa was presented. Furthermore, the 3-tiered white umbrella was upgraded to a 5-tiered yellow brocade umbrella, which corresponds to the royal title of Kromma Luang.”
The Final Illness
Following a major illness, His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch suffered from intermittent poor health, and his physical condition progressively deteriorated. However, through continuous medical treatment and excellent palliative care, combined with his strong mind and equanimous heart, he was able to sustain his life sequentially. In July 1958, his illness worsened significantly, with blood appearing in his stool, requiring an urgent transfer to the Samakkhi Phayaban Building at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Later, in September 1958, he began to exhibit symptoms of paralysis. Physicians hypothesized that there was a narrowing and blockage of the cerebral blood vessels. Although his symptoms subsequently improved slightly, his condition relapsed.
The Final Moments
After midnight on the 10th, counting as the 11th of November 1958, His Majesty the King was present at the bedside in the sickroom.
His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch, Prince Vajirananavongs, passed away at 01:08 AM at the age of 85 years, 11 months, and 19 days.”
The Royal Funeral
On the morning of that day, the royal remains were conveyed back to Wat Bowonniwet Vihara and escorted to the upper floor of Tamnak Chandra. In the afternoon, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen arrived to pour lustral water over the royal remains, which were then placed into the funeral urn. The urn was subsequently enshrined on the catafalque beneath a five-tiered gold-brocade umbrella at Tamnak Phet and surrounded by royal regalia befitting his honor. Monks then performed the funeral chanting.
His Majesty graciously allowed Abhidhamma recitation day and night for a period of 30 days, and a 30-day period of mourning was observed within the Royal Court.
In official government channels, an announcement was made that all government offices should fly flags at half-mast for 3 days and that civil servants should observe a period of mourning for 15 days.
Furthermore, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, who was chairman of several funeral committees organized by the Thai government, came to pay respects to His Holiness on the night of His demise, arriving before dawn. He prostrated himself to express his deep sorrow and served in various royal duties, up through the royal cremation, with respect and attentiveness.
His Majesty the King performed royal merit-making rites on the 7th, 50th, and 100th days of the royal funeral ceremonies. Members of the royal family, officials from various ministries and departments, associations, organizations, and the monkhood also gathered to perform merit-making in honor of the deceased. Members of the public, students from various schools, and diplomats continually arrived in great numbers to pay their respects to the deceased. Once the official period for the royal-sponsored Abhidhamma chanting concluded, Dhammayut temples in the Phra Nakhon and Thonburi provinces arranged for monks to continue chanting until the 100th day. Following that, monks and novices from Wat Bowonniwet Vihara took turns chanting every night and watched over the Supreme Patriarch both day and night until the royal cremation ceremony.
Buddhist monks throughout the country convened to chant prayers and dedicate merit. On January 11, 1959, to mark the anniversary, His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty the Queen, arrived to preside over the merit-making ceremony for the deceased on November 11, 1959.
The Supreme Patriarch was steadfast, strict, and meticulous regarding the Dhamma and Vinaya (Buddhist doctrine and monastic discipline). He possessed a straightforward disposition, and his speech and actions were thoroughly honest and direct. Possessing a resolute, upright, and unwavering mind, he was naturally inclined toward detachment and did not accumulate possessions.
He regularly practiced charity, customarily organizing a draw twice a year for all monks and novices in the temple to select monastic requisites. These occasions took place on Maha Pavarana Day to dedicate merit to King Mongkut (Rama IV), and on his own birthday. He contented himself with a simple lifestyle, conducting himself as an ordinary monk while strictly maintaining monastic decorum and discipline. Far-sighted and deeply attuned to what was appropriate or inappropriate, he rarely missed the mark. Furthermore, he studied the Dhamma and Vinaya through the diligent use of reason and critical judgment. And through the practices evident in his various literary works, he strove for unity, maintaining his position as the Spiritual Father and Monastic Prelate in accordance with the Aparihaniyadhamma (principles of non-decline). He successfully directed administrative affairs concerning the monastic order and Buddhism to fruitful completion. Serving as a peaceful refuge for all traditions of the clergy, he inspired the highest level of royal faith and devotion in the nation’s Monarch—the Supreme Patron of Religions—as well as among Buddhists of all walks of life. Endowed with diverse virtues beyond complete description, it can truly be said that he was a guardian of Buddhism, deeply revered, and a source of profound reassurance for the general Buddhist public.
Phra Phrommuni (Pin Dhammaprateep, Suvaco),
fifth abbot from 1958 – 1961.
Birth: 21 September 1894
Abbot: 1958 to 1961
Death: 22 January 1961
His Holiness Somdet Pra Sangharaj Chao Krom Luang Vajiranyanasamvara (Charoen Ghotchawat, Suvaddhano)
Sixth abbot from 1961 to 2013.
Birth: 3 October 1913
Abbot: 1961-2013
Death: 24 October 2013
Somdet Phra Sangharaj Chao Kroma Luang Vajiranyana Samvara, formerly named Charoen Gotchavatra, was born in Ban Nuea Sub-district, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province, on Friday, October 3, 1913.
The ancestry of His Holiness is quite fascinating, coming from four different directions: his father had lineages from the Old Capital (Ayutthaya) on one side and the South on the other, while his mother had Vietnamese ancestry on one side and Chinese on the other.
In his youth, before ordaining as a novice, outsiders typically viewed His Holiness as physically frail, shy, and frequently ill. On one occasion, he fell so seriously ill that the adults thought he would not recover and made a vow that if he survived, they would ordain him to fulfill the vow. This was one of the reasons that led to his eventual ordination as a novice.
His Eminence showed a natural inclination toward monastic life from early childhood. He enjoyed playing as a monk, making small sermon scripts and tiny fan ranks (modeled after the fan of Phra Khru Adulsamanakit at that time). He would collect rocks to build miniature mountains with caves and place small stupas on the peaks. He also pretended to host Kathina and Pha-pa robe ceremonies, organizing the ghost-feeding festival (Ting Krajat), and making small paper figures of Yamaraja (the Lord of the Underworld) based on the rituals at the Vietnamese temple. Whenever he fell ill, the adults had to burn those paper Yamaraja figures. When his aunt had to wake up before dawn to go to work, she had to leave a candle for him to light and play with because he refused to go back to sleep.
His Holiness entered primary school at the age of eight at the local public school within Wat Devasangkaram, studying inside the temple pavilion. He completed Grade 3, which was equivalent to finishing primary education at that time. To pursue secondary education, students had to transfer to Wat Chaichumphon Chanasongkhram School (Wat Tai), which was the provincial secondary school. However, a teacher at Wat Devasangkaram School invited him to continue studying there for Grade 4, a new class that was about to open and was equivalent to Secondary Year 1. The school also planned to open a Grade 5 class, equivalent to Secondary Year 2, in the future, though it did not offer English classes. Therefore, he decided to continue his studies at Wat Devasangkaram. Many of his classmates chose to transfer to the secondary school at Wat Chaichumphon instead, and later moved to Bangkok to further their education.
During his school years, His Holiness joined the Junior Red Cross and the Boy Scouts. He studied scouting, passed the exam to become a First Class Scout in 1925, and underwent intensive scout combat training that simulated military combat with wooden staffs instead of rifles. This was because His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) was scheduled to preside over the Wild Tiger Corps’ mock battle training in Nakhon Pathom and Ban Pong, and he graciously intended to allow the scouts from Kanchanaburi to participate. However, His Majesty passed away that year, resulting in the cancellation of the Wild Tiger Corps and Boy Scout joint training.
In 1926, two of his maternal uncles were to be ordained as monks at Wat Devasangkharam. His mother and aunt, therefore, persuaded him to be ordained as a novice monk to fulfill the vow, and he agreed. At that time, he was 14 years old. He was ordained as a novice at Wat Devasangkharam in Kanchanaburi Province. Phra Thepmongkhonrangsi (Dee Buddhachoti)—who at the time held the title of Phra Khru Adulsamanakit, the abbot of Wat Devasangkharam, commonly known as Luang Pho Wat Nuea—served as his preceptor (Upajjhaya). Phra Sophonsamachan (Rian Suwannachoti)—who at the time held the title of Phra Khru Niwitsamachan, the abbot of Wat Sri Uplaram in Kanchanaburi Province, commonly known as Luang Pho Wat Nong Bua—served as his teacher who conferred the Refuges and the Precepts. After his ordination, he resided at Wat Devasangkharam for the rainy season retreat.
Somdet Pra Vanarat (Jund Brahamanapitak, Brahamagutto)
Seventh abbot from 2015-2022
Phra Phrom Vajirarangsee (Jirapol Bhromthong, Adhicitto)
Eighth abbot from 2023 – present
Buddhaavaasa –
Wat Bowonniwet Vihara 
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