Supreme Patriarch of Thailand

Part of a series on
Buddhism
History Timeline Gautama Buddha Councils Later Buddhists
Dharma Concepts Four Noble Truths Five Aggregates Impermanence Suffering Non-self Dependent Origination Middle Way Emptiness Karma Rebirth Saṃsāra Cosmology
Practices Three Jewels Buddhist Paths to liberation Morality Perfections Meditation Mindfulness Wisdom Compassion Aids to Enlightenment Monasticism Laity
Nirvāṇa Four Stages Arahant Buddha Bodhisattva
Traditions Canons Theravāda Pāli Mahāyāna Hinayana Chinese Vajrayāna Tibetan Navayana
Outline Buddhism portal

The Supreme Patriarch or Sangharaja (Thai: พระสังฆราช RTGS: phrasangkharat ) 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 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 currently aged 99 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 Ajahn Maha Bua, an influential monk.[1][2]

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	Ñānasaṃvara	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 Jinoros	Prince Vasugri	Suvannaraṅsi	BE 2394–BE 2396	1851–1853
8. Somdet Krom Phraya Pavares Variyalongkorn	Prince Rurk	Paññāaggata	BE 2396–BE 2435	1853–1892
9. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana	Sa	Pussadeva	BE 2436–BE 2442	1893–1899
10. Somdet Krom Phraya Vajirananavarorasa	Prince Manusyanag Manob		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 Vajirananavong	Momrajavong Chuen Nobbavong	Sucitta	BE 2488–BE 2501	1945–1958
14. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana	Plod Ketuthat	Kittisobhaṇa	BE 2503–BE 2505	1960–1962
15. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana	Yoo	Ñāṇodayo	BE 2506–BE 2508	1963–1966
16. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana	Chuan Sirisom	Uṭṭhāyī	BE 2508–BE 2514	1965–1971
17. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana	Pun Sukcharoen	Punnasiri	BE 2515–BE 2516	1972–1973
18. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana	Vasana Nilprapha	Vāsana	BE 2516–BE 2531	1973–1988
19. Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara	Charoen Khotchawat	Suvaḍḍhana	BE 2532–present	1989–present

See also

• Buddhism in Thailand

External links

• English website of the Supreme Patriarch
• A website with information about each Supreme Patriarch
• Entry on the current Supreme Patriarch at Everything2
• 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