Fresh from the Pulpit – Ecclesiastical Chief Urges Region 13 Clergy to Uphold Duties and Practice Patience
The ecclesiastical chief of Region 13 gathered provincial Buddhist clergy on May 12 to establish development plans for four major task groups, emphasizing patience and compassion as cornerstones for effective monastic administration and pub
On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Phra Phromvachirathon (Sophon Sophonchitto), abbot of Wat Devrajkunchon and ecclesiastical chief of Region 13, presided over a meeting of provincial ecclesiastical leaders, deputy leaders, and secretaries in the Buddhist Sangha Region 13 administrative zone (Chachoengsao, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat) according to the Council of Elders Resolution No. 143/2546, Session 2/2026.
The purpose was to establish a development plan for Region 13's ecclesiastical work across six areas consolidated into four main task groups: (1) administrative governance and database management, (2) education and educational welfare, (3) dharma promotion, practice encouragement, and missionary work, and (4) public welfare and religious property.
Public welfare work is a mission undertaken by all ecclesiastical divisions to continuously support communities and respond to immediate situations, held at Wat Sutthawat temple in Nong Prueio subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chachoengsao province.
Phra Phromvachirathon conveyed to provincial ecclesiastical leaders, deputy leaders, and secretaries in Region 13 the teachings of His Majesty the Supreme Patriarch, emphasizing strict adherence to Buddhist precepts and discipline, with patience as the foundation for religious work, and fostering unity within the monastic community. He urged monastic administrators to conduct themselves and manage operations according to law, Council regulations, and procedures with strictness. He entrusted the ecclesiastical administrators with two principles: patience and compassion, Buddhist teachings to practice for the wellbeing and morale of their subordinates, enhancing work efficiency and effectiveness. As the Buddhist aphorism states: "Khanti metro labhi yasso sussilo suhavato piyo devamanussa nom manopo hoti khanti," meaning the patient and compassionate one gains benefits and honor, enjoys happiness always, and is loved by both celestial beings and humans.
Phra Phromvachirathon further explained that khanti, or patience, means enduring difficulties to achieve noble purposes and worthy objectives when facing undesirable circumstances. It represents a state of mind and body prepared to face any situation without dejection or weakness. This patience is a virtue enabling practitioners to succeed in their work. Compassion, or metta, is a feeling of goodwill toward others, free from selfishness, bias, or hatred, but always directed toward universal happiness and prosperity.
It is not about favoring one's own preferences or others' preferences. When people live together practicing mutual patience and compassion without harboring harmful or oppressive intentions, with mutual understanding and generosity, there will certainly be only peace, tranquility, and happiness.
