Breaking News on Buddhist Relics – Medal of Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth
A commemorative medal honoring Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth, the 10th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand who served from 1910 until his death in 1921, was created in 1920 for his 60th birthday celebration.
Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth was the 10th Supreme Patriarch of Bangkok, residing at Wat Boworniwet Vihara. He was the son of King Rama IV and Princess Mom Chao Mae Pae, born on Thursday, the 7th waning day of the 5th lunar month in the Year of the Goat, which corresponds to April 12, 1860. Heavy rain fell on the day of his birth, which the Queen Consort regarded as an auspicious omen and named him Phraya Manusyanakamamnop.
At age 20, he ordained as a Buddhist monk at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsada on June 27, 1879. Somdet Phraya Pavareshvaralingkorn served as his preceptor, while Phra Chantharakojkun (Yim Chantharangsi) of Wat Makut Kasatriaram acted as his karma instructor. After his first rains retreat at Wat Boworniwet Vihara, he moved to his second rains retreat at Wat Makut Kasatriaram under the guidance of Phra Chantharakojkun.
During his stay at Wat Makut Kasatriaram, he underwent ritual purification and re-ordination according to the custom of the Thammayut order. Phra Chantharakojkun served as his preceptor, while Phra Dhammatilokacharya (Dech Thanjarao), then a senior scholar-monk at Wat Somnas Vihara, served as his karma instructor at the ubosot of Wat Ratchathiwat on January 3, 1879.
In 1891, when Somdet Phraya Pavareshvaralingkorn passed away, King Rama V graciously appointed Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth to succeed him as the abbot of Wat Boworniwet Vihara, becoming the third abbot of the temple.
On November 2, 1906, he was elevated to the rank of Krom Luang Wachiryananvaroroth. When King Rama VI ascended the throne in 1910, he was appointed as the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand and elevated to the rank of Phraya. His name was inscribed as Somdet Phra Boromvongse Thao Krom Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth. Later, King Rama VI granted him the title of Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth as the first holder of this honor.
He served as the preceptor of two monarchs: King Rama VI during his ordination as a monk while holding the title of Crown Prince, and King Rama VII while holding the title of Prince Prajadhipok. He passed away on August 2, 1921, at the age of 61, having presided over Wat Boworniwet Vihara for 30 years and serving as Supreme Patriarch for 10 years and 7 months.
The medal of Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth was created in 1920 to commemorate his 60th birthday celebration. The oval-shaped medal with built-in loops measures 2.8 centimeters in width and 3.5 centimeters in length. The obverse features a half-length portrait of His Holiness in profile facing left, with a radiating diamond symbol above representing 'Vajiravudh,' and Ariyaka script below, which was created by King Rama IV.
