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Chonburi organizes great celebration to honor His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara

Rotjanathammasathan Foundation conducts vegetarian ceremony in Sattahip

Chonburi organizes great celebration to honor His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara

The Supreme Patriarch of Thai Sangha’s 92nd Birthday

Suchada Tupchai

On October 1, at Wat Khao Cheejan’s etched Buddha Image in Sattahip, Deputy Governor Pisit Boonchuang honored proceedings by presiding over the opening ceremony to celebrate the 92nd birthday of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thai Sangha. The proceedings were attended by the general public in great numbers.

Scenes from shows depicting his life were displayed around the event.

His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thai Sangha was born on the 3rd of October. He is greatly revered by Thai Buddhists and because of this Chonburi Municipality in cooperation with the government and private sectors organized birthday celebrations October 1-3 at Wat Yanasangwararam and Wat Khao Cheejan’s etched Buddha Image.

Numerous activities were arranged, including shows depicting his life and works, Buddhist practices, meditation, Buddhist discussions, Buddhist quizzes and the chanting of Buddhist mantras dedicated to the Supreme Patriarch. Schools throughout Pattaya and Sattahip also organized other activities that attracted the public, especially the youth.

Chonburi Deputy Governor Pisit Boonchuang speaks at the opening ceremony.

His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thai Sangha was born Charoen Gajavatra in Kanchanaburi on October 3, 1913. He was ordained at Wat Devasangharam on June 12, 1933 with Phra Thaepmongkolrangsri as his preceptor; his present title is Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara.

Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara was ordained as a novice in 1926 at the age of 14. As a novice he studied Buddhist teachings and doctrine at Wat Sanayha at Nakhorn Pathom. Upon reaching the age of full ordination he returned to Wat Devasangharam in 1933 to be fully ordained.

Deputy Governor Pisit Boonchuang views the shows put on by the various schools.

He subsequently moved to Wat Bovoranives Vihara in Bangkok to further his studies, and it was here that he was ordained in the Dhammayut movement with the then Supreme Patriarch His Holiness Somdej Khrom Luang Vajiranyanavangsa as his preceptor. He passed the exam for level 9 in Buddhist theology in 1941 and in 1972 was bestowed the title “Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara” by H.M. the King.

Beautiful, elegant dancing.

He devoted himself to the service of religion. He preached at many locations and has authored many academic books and papers on Buddhism which are highly valued. In 1956 Khrom Luang Vajiranyanavangsa chose him to be H.M. the King Rama 9’s mentor during his time in the monkhood at Wat Bovoranives Vihara from October 22 to November 5 that year. His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara has kept to the ways of the Buddhist religious precepts of behavior, wisdom and mindfulness. He is pure and holy; the kind of monk that is difficult to find these days.

As a result of all his good works he was finally bestowed the title of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thai Sangha on April 21, 1989, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of the Rattanakosin Era.


Rotjanathammasathan Foundation conducts vegetarian ceremony in Sattahip

Chatchanan Chaisree

Narong Bunbancherdsri, chairman of the Rotjanathammasathan Foundation, led a ceremony of worship at Sattahip Market for the god Kiew Aung Huk Jo during the Vegetarian Festival.

The festival and parade has become a prime event in Pattaya, but aside from its attraction for visitors the vegetarian festival has a deep spiritual meaning for believers.

The vegetables-only period is scheduled annually, corresponding to the waxing moon from the 1st – 9th according to the Chinese calendar. The purpose is to clean body, mind and spirit. Followers wear white and offer flowers, joss sticks and candles to make worship.

The public cooperatively donated things.

Dragon float used in the parade around the market.

Preparing the parade in front of the Rotjanathammasathan Foundation.

Narong Bunbancherdsri, chairman of the Rotjanathammasathan Foundation.

Worshipping the god.