Ariyavangsagatayana (Pae Tissadeva)

Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanayana (birth name Pae Phongpala; monastic name Tissadevo) was the 12th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. He resided at Wat Suthat and was appointed on 15 November 1938^[1] during the reign of King Ananda Mahidol. He held office for six years until his passing on 26 November 1944 at the age of 88.

Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanayana was born as Pae on 12 November 1856 in Bang Lamphu Lang, Khlong San District, Thonburi Province, during the reign of King Mongkut. His father was Nut Phongpala and his mother was On Phongpala.^[2]

At the age of seven, he began studying under Somdet Phra Wanarat (Sombun), then abbot of Wat Thong Noppakhun, Bangkok. When Somdet Phra Wanarat (Sombun) moved to Wat Ratchaburana Ratchaworawihan, Pae followed him. He was ordained as a novice in 1868 (B.E. 2411) under Somdet Phra Wanarat (Sombun). Later, when his teacher moved to Wat Pho, Pae accompanied him again and continued studying under him as well as other scholars such as Scribes Suk, Astrologer Chum, and Teacher Pho. He first took the monastic exams at Phra Thinang Suthaisawan Prasat in 1876 but did not pass.^[2]

In 1876, when he reached ordination age, he postponed it to care for his ill preceptor until the latter’s passing. He then became a disciple of Somdet Daeng Silawaddhano of Wat Suthat, as per his late teacher’s wishes. He was ordained as a monk at Wat Sawetachat in 1879, with Somdet Phra Wanarat (Daeng) as preceptor. He resided at Wat Suthat and studied primarily under his new preceptor, and also with Ariyavangsagatayana (Sa Pussadeva). He later passed the Pali Grade 4 examination in 1882 and advanced to Grade 5 in 1885.^[3]

• 1880 – Appointed assistant to Phra Thamwarodom (Daeng), holding ranks of Phra Khru Baidika, Phra Khru Mongkolwilas, and Phra Khru Vinayathorn.^[3]
• 13 May 1889 – Promoted to Phra Rachasap as Phra Srisomphot.^[4]
• 1896 – Elevated to the equivalent of Phra Rajakhana Thap.^[3]
• 1898 – Promoted to Phra Thepmoli Tripitaka Dhara Mahathammakathikkanarisara Bowonsangharam Khamwasi.^[5]
• 1900 – Elevated to Phra Dhamma Kosacharn Sunthornyanayok Tripitakamuni Mahakhanathibodi Sammanisara Bowonsangharam Khamwasi.^[6]
• 1912 – Promoted to Phra Brahmamuni Sriwisutthiyan Tripitakadhammalangkarn Vibushit Majjhimkhanisorn Bowonsangharam Khamwasi Sanghanayok.^[7]
• 1915 – Transferred to the Southern Ecclesiastical Region.^[8]
• 1923 – Promoted to Somdet Phra Phutthachan, chief of the Aranyavasi (forest-dwelling monks).^[9]
• February 1929 – Elevated to Somdet Phra Wanarat, chief of the Southern monastic order.^[10]
• 15 November 1938 – Appointed Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.^[1]
• 19 September 1939 – Received the formal title Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanayana Sukhumwithan Dhamrong Sakhonsongkaparinayok Tripitakkalakushalophas Anandamaharat Buddhamaamakacharn Tissadevabhidhan Sanghavissuta Pavajanuttamasobhana Vimalasilasamacharavat Buddhistsocietykaravasathan Vijitrapatipanpattanakun Adul Kambhiranyanasunthorn Bowonsangharam Khamwasi Aranyawasi.^[11]

During his tenure, he implemented the Sangha Act of 1941, ensuring harmony between religious and civil administration by appointing senior monks to key Sangha Council positions, fulfilling the act’s requirements effectively.

Notes

Bibliography

• Fine Arts Department (2002). Senior Ecclesiastical Appointments in the Rattanakosin Kingdom, Vol. 2. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department. pp. 7–17. ISBN 974-417-530-3.
• Prince Sommom Amonphan (2002). Senior Ecclesiastical Appointments in the Rattanakosin Kingdom, Vol. 1. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department. pp. 225–229. ISBN 974-417-530-3.