BANGKOK, 31 January 2014 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on January 30 officiated on behalf of His Majesty the King at the merit making ceremony to mark the 100th day since the death of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, at Bovoranives Monastery in Bangkok.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, accompanied by the Princess consort, Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasmi, arrived at the monastery at 5.30 p.m. He lighted candles and incense sticks to pay respect to the principal Buddha image before presenting royal offerings to a chapter of 10 monks who then chanted holy stanzas. This was followed by a sermon given by the chief monk, at the end of which His Royal Highness presented Buddhist robes as well as other necessities to the monks.
His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch passed away on October 24, 2013 from an infection in his blood vessels, at the age of 100 years and 21 days. His remains have been laid in state at Tamnak Phet Building, Bovoranives Monastery, waiting for a royally sponsor cremation to be scheduled.
His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara is the first senior monk who plays a vital role for the propagation of Buddhism overseas. He is highly revered not only in Thailand but also among Buddhists in foreign countries. As such, the Myanmar Government has bestowed upon him the title of “Abhidhaja Maharattha Guru”, which is the highest ecclesiastical title of the Myanmar Sangha. The World Buddhist Supreme Conference, Buddhist Summit, along with the Supreme Buddhist leaders of 32 countries of the world in 2012 also bestowed the title of “Supreme Holiness of World Buddhism” on him.
