Thai Buddhism's Supreme Patriarch Dies at 100

[Lite Beer]

Thai Buddhism's Supreme Patriarch Dies at 100
By THANYARAT DOKSONE

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Supreme Patriarch, who headed the country's order of Buddhist monks for more than two decades, died Thursday. He was 100.

Doctors said that Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara (SOM-ded PRA YA-na-SUNG-WORN) died at Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok, where he had been treated since being admitted for an illness more than a decade ago, on Feb. 20, 2002.

"His overall condition deteriorated and he passed away at 7:30 p.m. from an infection in his blood vessels," the doctors said in a statement.

The Supreme Patriarch was able to perform leadership duties from the hospital for a time, but in 2004, a senior Buddhist monk was appointed to work on his behalf. That monk died earlier this year, raising speculation about who the Supreme Patriarch's successor will be.

His successor will be formally appointed by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Read More: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/thai-buddhisms-supreme-patriarch-dies-100-20668394

--ABCNews 2013-10-24

[Lite Beer]

Supreme Patriach passes away Thursday

BANGKOK: -- His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, passed away on Thursday at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. He was 100.

He received a surgery at the hospital to treat a bacterial infection of the intestine on Monday night. After the surgery, the revered monk responded well to the treatement and had no complications.

However his condition worsened on Thursday and passed away at 7.29pm, the hospital’s director said.

-- The Nation 2013-10-24

[Stradavarius37]

Best wishes to him on his next incarnation - journey to nirvana etc

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Scott]

My condolences to those who admired and respected him.

[Sunderland]

RIP ... hopefully you're going somewhere better.

[beautifulthailand99]

RIP ... hopefully you're going somewhere better.

He was a Buddhist and accepted the impermenance of all things. As the Abbot of my local Wat in London said when I asked him "what remains in the end" - he laughed and said nothing.Difficult sell to people who want their fairy stories to have happy endings.but the Supreme Patriarch no doubt knew more than most especially so in his final years that suffering was a major part of life and would have accepted his death gracefully as the final act of letting go when it came - as this is just the way it is and confirmation of the Buddha's teachings.

A good time to reflect on the Buddha's last words;

"Behold, O monks, this is my advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your own salvation."

Stamps to commerate his recent 100th anniversary.

[webfact]

SUPREME PATRIARCH
15-day mourning period set
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Somdet Phra Sangharaja passed away Thursday after enduring ailments and undergoing hospital treatment in recent months.

He turned 100 on October 3 and is considered the longest living Supreme Patriarch in Thai history.

According to the government’s announcement, the national flag will fly at half-mast during October 25-27 to commemorate his departure. Meanwhile, all civil servants and government employees are ordered to wear unadorned black clothing for mourning for 15 days, starting from October 15.

From 8am on October 25, Buddhist followers will be allowed to pay respect to His Holiness. At noon, his body would be moved from Chulalongkorn Hospital to Wat Bororanives, via Rajadamri Road towards the expressway (Rama IV entrance). From Urupong exit, the motorcade will turn left to Petchburi Road, towards Rajadamnoen Klang Avenue, Democracy Monument and Phra Sumain Road where the temple is located.

The departure of the revered 19th Supreme Patriarch of the Rattanakosin Kingdom brings great sadness to his devout followers, who have been anxiously monitoring updates on his health.

Chulalongkorn University, where he was being treated, confirmed that His Holiness passed away at 7.30pm last night.

The late Supreme Patriarch underwent an intestinal surgery for bacterial infection on October 14 at Chulalongkorn Hospital.

Phra Nyanasamvara was the mentor of His Majesty the King during his 15-day ordination from October 22 to November 5, 1956. He held several prominent ecclesiastical positions after being ordained as a novice when he was 14 and then entering monkhood proper when he turned 20. He was appointed as Supreme Patriarch in 1988.

According to his secretariat office, His Holiness always reminded his followers about the "Three Marks of Existence" - impermanence, suffering and non-existence.

Wat Bororanives, which was his official residence, marked the Supreme Patriarch's centennial with an exhibition of major historical events over the past 100 years.


-- The Nation 2013-10-25

[tomross46]

Another leader passes away. May you rebirth be completed.

[klauskunkel]

RIP ... hopefully you're going somewhere better.

...better than Thailand?

[hookedondhamma]

I'll be In Bangkok tomorrow very close to his, and will be going to pay my respects.

He did so much, and was an incredible Somdet. Made me teary-eyed when I heard this.

[hookedondhamma]

RIP ... hopefully you're going somewhere better.

...better than Thailand?

I would say yes. Even though he held a high title, he exercised incredible restraint within and outside the temple. If there was ever a guiding light of the highest order (in our years), he sure was it.

For those in the Dhammayut and even in the Mahanikay order, he was like a father to us. In fact, he still is.

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Thai people mourn departure of Supreme Patriarch
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 25 – The Thai kingdom is in deep sorrow after the country’s revered 19th Supreme Patriarch passed away last night.

His Majesty the King ordered an extension of mourning for Royal Household members from 15 days to 30 days.

Civil servants and state enterprise employees are asked to wear black for 15 days, beginning today, in respect for His Holiness while the Thai flag will fly at half mast throughout the country from today through Sunday.

The revered Supreme Patriarch departed of a blood infection at Chulalongkorn Hospital at 7.30 pm after being admitted on October 14. He had been hospitalised for some years.

The longest living Supreme Patriarch in Thai history, His Holiness turned 100 on October 3.

His body was moved from Chulalongkorn hospital at noon today to Wat Bavornnives for funeral rites.

At provincial halls countrywide, people poured in to pay their final respects to the Supreme Patriarch in special mourning ceremonies arranged by provincial administrations. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-25

[webfact]

Palace extends court mourning for the Supreme Patriarch



BANGKOK, 25 October 2013 (NNT) - The Bureau of the Royal Household has announced that as His Holiness Somdej Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch passed away at 19.30 hrs, on Thursday, October 24, due to blood infections at Chulalongkorn Hospital, His Majesty the King has learned of the news with deep sorrow and has extended court mourning from originally 15 days to 30 days, ending on November 23, 2013.

His Majesty also instructed that the body of the Supreme Patriarch should lie in state at Phra Tamnak Petch in Borvoranives Monastery. The funeral of His Holiness will be carried out with full honor in accordance with the royal tradition, the Royal Household Bureau said.


-- NNT 2013-10-25

[atlbravosfan]

Can anyone provide any links to any of his teachings or Dhamma talks? It would be quite interesting to read the way he taught, what he taught about, and why he chose to teach that way. Thanks.

[Lite Beer]

Public reaction on loss of Supreme Patriarch

BANGKOK, 25 October 2013 (NNT) – Ceremonies have been held around the country as Thai Buddhists mourn the loss of the Supreme Patriarch.

Hundreds of Buddhists gathered at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Friday morning to mourn the loss of His Holiness Somdej Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch. King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital allowed the public to pay their respect until 12:00 pm.

The body of the late Supreme Patriarch was then moved to Wat Bovoranives Temple. According to His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch’s Assistant Secretary Ven. Phra Dr. Anil Sakya, the public will be allowed to attend the funeral bathing rite at Wat Bovoranives Temple, from 1 pm–5 pm. However, taking pictures of His Holiness’ body will be strictly prohibited.

Buddhists have already begun to arrive at Wat Bovoranives Temple awaiting the procession carrying His Holiness’ body. Many of them have purchased amulets celebrating His Holiness 100th anniversary.

Later this evening, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, representing His Majesty the King, will preside over the funeral bathing rite at 17:00.

Meanwhile, national flags at state agencies, state enterprises, and education institutes have been half-mast for three days, until 27 October. Selected temples in every province are holding ceremonies to allow people in the province to pay respect to the pictures of His Holiness.

His Holiness' Assistant Secretary has also stated that it is the duty of Buddhists to practice His Holiness’ teachings in merit of His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch.

-- NNT 2013-10-25

[sabaijai]

Anicca vata sankhara

[animatic]

Rest in peace, or a next destination to the devout holy man.

I just received a text from The Nation saying police have

'asked all entertainment to shut down from Oct 25th to Nov 8th.

A total of 15 days. This means without advance warning all those people,

working in 'Entertainment' will be out of work. A half month.

I some how doubt they will get back pay or lost wages.

Or had adequately prepared nest eggs for this eventuality.

This edict obviously goes for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

No disrespect to the Patriach intended, he deserves full respect.

But this seems excessive to put all these people out of their livelihoods

for so long without much advance notice.

Either that a Police windfall in Teamoney to look the other way...

Edited October 25, 2013 by animatic

[beautifulthailand99]

Rest in peace, or a next destination to the devout holy man.

I just received a text from The Nation saying police have

'asked all entertainment to shut down from Oct 25th to Nov 8th.

A total of 15 days. This means without advance warning all those people,

working in 'Entertainment' will be out of work. A half month.

I some how doubt they will get back pay or lost wages.

Or had adequately prepared nest eggs for this eventuality.

This edict obviously goes for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

No disrespect to the Patriach intended, he deserves full respect.

But this seems excessive to put all these people out of their livelihoods

for so long without much advance notice.

Either that a Police windfall in Teamoney to look the other way...

That is very sad and a overeaction by the authorities - a lot if people live hand to mouth and day to day in Thailand and this will really hurt them. I hope if true they reverse this - life goes on and people have to eat.

[anon210]

Rest in peace, or a next destination to the devout holy man.

I just received a text from The Nation saying police have

'asked all entertainment to shut down from Oct 25th to Nov 8th.

A total of 15 days. This means without advance warning all those people,

working in 'Entertainment' will be out of work. A half month.

I some how doubt they will get back pay or lost wages.

Or had adequately prepared nest eggs for this eventuality.

This edict obviously goes for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

No disrespect to the Patriach intended, he deserves full respect.

But this seems excessive to put all these people out of their livelihoods

for so long without much advance notice.

Either that a Police windfall in Teamoney to look the other way...

That is very sad and a overeaction by the authorities - a lot if people live hand to mouth and day to day in Thailand and this will really hurt them. I hope if true they reverse this - life goes on and people have to eat.

Another sign Thailand is veering towards a theocracy. State and religion work hand in hand to perpetuate control of the masses, with no respect whatsoever for the life of the people.

[bangkokstick]

Is it the reason why Bkk is so quiet today ?

[Credo]

Who has the ultimate right to decide the official mourning period and what has to be closed?