Memorial Service Honors Revered Buddhist Prelate on 101st Anniversary
Buddhist monks and devotees gathered at Wat Pak Nam in Bangkok on Wednesday to honor the 101st anniversary of Somdet Phra Maharachmanglacharn, a revered prelate who championed Buddhist education and community harmony across Thailand and int
On Wednesday, August 26, 2025, Somdet Phra Wachiratanmoli (Suchart Thammaratano), abbot of Wat Pak Nam and member of the Mahatherasangha Council, presided over a merit-making ceremony dedicated to the 101st anniversary of Somdet Phra Maharachmanglacharn (Chuang Vorapunyo), former abbot of Wat Pak Nam and a significant figure in Thai Buddhist administration. Senior monks, novices, nuns, and lay devotees participated in the ceremony at the Ratanjantasaravan Hall at Wat Pak Nam, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok.
Somdet Phra Maharachmanglacharn made substantial contributions across multiple areas. He established the Luang Por Sot Wat Pak Nam Foundation to support various merit-making activities and donated 100,000 baht each to 72 religious education institutes throughout the country to establish scholarship funds for Pali Buddhist studies. He also pioneered community harmony and reconciliation programs by promoting Buddhist principles and the Five Precepts in villages, earning nationwide recognition.
Originally named Chuang Sudsapresit, he was born on August 26, 1925, in Samut Prakan Province. At age 14, he ordained at Wat Sangkharat in Bangkok under Phra Kru Silaphirat. He later transferred to Wat Pak Nam in 1941 and received full monastic ordination on May 11, 1945, under Phra Kru Borihanboromathat and Phra Mangkonthepmuni.
After completing advanced Dharma studies, he was appointed abbot of Wat Pak Nam and continued the work initiated by his predecessors. In 1991, he oversaw construction of the Mahasirinart Buddhist Library in honor of Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday celebrations.
He served in numerous ecclesiastical roles, including supervisor of Pali examinations, member of the Mahatherasangha Council, acting Supreme Sangharaja, and president of the Mahasamiti Assembly. Domestically, he led Dharma propagation missions, and internationally, he established Thai Buddhist temples in the United States, Japan, and New Zealand to serve Thai expatriates and foreign practitioners.
