Thai people have been
celebrating the 100th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra
Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
His Holiness is the longest
living Supreme Patriarch in Thai history. As part of the celebration, a
week-long exhibition on the life and work of the Supreme Patriarch is being
held at Wat Bovoranives in Bangkok from 1 to 7 October 2013.
The Celebration of 100th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, 3rd October 2013 Commemorative Stamp (2nd Series). Photo: siamstamp.com
Other activities in honor
of His Holiness and in commemoration of this special occasion have also been
organized during the seven-day period.
In the Bangkok Declaration,
issued at the conclusion of the celebrations and meetings of Buddhist leaders
and representatives from 87 countries in Thailand on 21-22 May 2013, His
Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, on the auspicious occasion of his
100th birth anniversary, has been commended for the work he has accomplished to
uplift humanity, particularly in the areas of education, spirituality, and
healthcare.
Born on 3 October 1913 in
Kanchanaburi province, His Holiness was formerly known as Charoen Gajavatra.
Upon completing his elementary education, he was ordained at the age of 14 in
his hometown. He moved to Wat Bovoranives in Bangkok in 1929 to further his
Pali and Dhamma studies. His Holiness is proficient not only in Pali and Sanskrit
but also in English. During his tenure as abbot, Wat Bovoranives has become a
center of foreign relations and is well-known to foreigners who are interested
in Buddhist studies.
In 1989, he was invested by
His Majesty the King as the Supreme Patriarch, who is Head of the Buddhist
Order and is responsible for all ecclesiastical affairs of the order.
Recognized as one of the
most important Buddhist scholars of the present time, His Holiness the Supreme
Patriarch has written many books on Dhamma, explaining Buddhist teachings and
meditation practices.
(thailand.prd.go.th)