Ariyavongsagatayana (Plod Kittisobhano)
Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana (Plod Kittisobhano) | |
|---|---|
| Title | Supreme Patriarch of Thailand |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Plod Ketudat May 27, 1889 Bangkok, Siam |
| Died | June 17, 1962 (aged 73) |
| Parents |
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| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Sect | Mahanikaya |
| Monastic name | Kittisobhano |
| Senior posting | |
| Predecessor | Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krommaluang Vajirananavongs |
| Residence | Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram |
Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana (born Plod Ketudat; monastic name Kittisobhano) was the 14th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana (born Plod Ketudat; monastic name Kittisobhano) was the 14th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. He resided at Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram and was appointed in 1960 during the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He served for 2 years, 1 month, and 13 days before dying on June 17, 1962, at the age of 73 years, 21 days.[1]
Biography
Early life
Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana was born as Plod Ketudat on Monday, May 27, 1889 (Year of the Ox), at a house in a lane behind Phahurat Market near Wat Ratchaburana Ratchaworawihan, Bangkok. He was the son of Khun Phitsanulok Prachanart (Lam Ketudat), the first chief officer under Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Krom Luang Phitsanulok Prachanart, and Mrs. Plang Ketudat. Due to health issues, his father resigned before being elevated to Krom Luang.[2]
Novitiate and Ordination
He was ordained as a novice in 1901 at Wat Pho, beginning his studies in Pali at the age of eight. Trained under the Mulakaccayana grammar system at Wat Phra Kaew, he achieved distinction by passing the 9th grade of Pali studies by the age of twenty, a feat formally recognized through royal decrees published in the Royal Gazette.[3] In 1909, he was ordained as a royal novice monk (Nak Luang) at Wat Phra Kaew under the preceptorship of Somdet Phra Wannarat (Thit Utto), receiving the monastic name “Kittisobhano”.[1]
Ecclesiastical career
His monastic service advanced rapidly, beginning with his appointment as a Pali instructor (Khunacharn Tho) in 1920. Five years later, in 1925, he became the district ecclesiastical head for central Bangkok, and by 1927 he had risen to Chief Monk of the Northern Circle (Payap). In 1928, he assumed the position of Abbot of Wat Benchamabophit, later ascending to national prominence as Sanghanayok (Deputy Supreme Patriarch) in 1951. Following a period as Acting Supreme Patriarch in 1958, he was officially appointed as the 14th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand in 1960.[3]
Over his lifetime, he was successively granted numerous honorific ecclesiastical titles in recognition of his scholarship and leadership. In 1914, he received the title Phra Sri Wisutthiwong; in 1923, Phra Ratcha Wethee Tripitakaphusit Dhammabandit Yatikhanisorn Bovornsangharam Kamavasi; in 1926, Phra Thepmuni Sri Wisutthasilaracharn Yannayok; in 1930, Phra Dhamma Kosacharn; in 1939, Phra Phrommuni; and in 1947, Somdet Phra Wannarat. Finally, in 1960, he attained the title Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, becoming the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.[2]
Contributions and scholarly works
Throughout his monastic life, Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana contributed significantly to the Thai Sangha and Buddhist scholarship.[1] As an administrator, he served successively as abbot, regional ecclesiastical head, and later as Supreme Patriarch, where he oversaw reforms in ecclesiastical governance and monastic discipline. In the field of education, he acted as examiner for the national Pali examinations and served as President of the Buddhist Education Division, emphasizing the importance of linguistic precision and canonical understanding among the clergy.
He was also a noted preacher and scholar, publishing many Buddhist texts such as Mongkhon Phasit and Praphava Phasit, and was known for sermons characterized by clarity and simplicity. His efforts in propagation extended beyond Thailand; he represented the country at several international Buddhist events, including the 1939 religious inspection of Kedah and Penang, the 1955 Sixth Buddhist Council in Burma, the 1956 Buddha Jayanti celebrations in Sri Lanka and India, and a 1961 visit to the United States at the invitation of the Asia Foundation.
In addition to his administrative and missionary roles, Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana made major contributions to Buddhist textual scholarship. He was commissioned by successive Thai kings to edit and translate canonical texts. During the reign of King Vajiravudh, he edited four commentaries of the Khuddaka Nikaya; under King Prajadhipok, he reviewed further canonical texts and sub-commentaries; and during the reign of King Ananda Mahidol, he chaired the royal committee responsible for translating the Tipitaka into Thai, a project completed in 1957 with a total of eighty volumes.[3]
Passing
On June 17, 1962, after attending a merit-making ceremony at Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat’s residence, he returned to Wat Benchamabophit. At 3 p.m., after bathing, he suffered a severe headache and soon died at 4:27 p.m. The cause of death was a stroke (cerebral hemorrhage). The Thai government ordered flags flown at half-mast for three days and a 15-day mourning period. The royal cremation was held at Wat Thepsirin.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (2009). Biographies of the Supreme Patriarchs of Rattanakosin (19 volumes). Bangkok: Udomek Printing. ISBN 978-974-235-262-2.
- ^ a b Prince Sommom Amonphan (2002). Senior Monastic Titles of Rattanakosin, Vol. 1. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department. ISBN 974-417-530-3.
- ^ a b c Senior Monastic Titles of Rattanakosin, Vol. 2. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department. 2002. ISBN 974-417-530-3.