Royal Blessing Ceremony – His Majesty Bestows Sacred Water for the Funeral Rites of Phra Rajveeraphon at Wat Sri Boon Ruang
The King bestowed sacred water for the funeral rites of Phra Rajveeraphon, the former abbot of Wat Sri Boon Ruang in Loei province, in a ceremony attended by provincial officials. The venerable monk, who died at 90, was a respected Buddhist
His Majesty the King has bestowed sacred water for the funeral rites of the late Phra Rajveeraphon (Saor Aphinan-o), the former provincial ecclesiastical advisor of Loei and former abbot of Wat Sri Boon Ruang, accompanied by a solid gold coffin decorated with insignia. The ceremony was held at the Sala Ruam Jai Pattana on the second floor of Wat Sri Boon Ruang in Kud Pong subdistrict, Muang district, Loei province, presided over by Phra Thammakunaphon (Keng Asapho), provincial ecclesiastical advisor for Region 8 at Wat Trimitvitthayaram. In attendance were Chaiyapoj Joroompong, Loei provincial governor; Lertsakdi Pattanachaigul, MP for Loei District 1 and second deputy speaker of parliament; and Brigadier General Prasert Singkhrakiao, commander of the 28th Military Region.
Phra Rajveeraphon (Saor Aphinan-o) was a venerable monk known for his exemplary conduct and compassionate heart, serving as a spiritual refuge for the Buddhist community of Loei. He was devoted to developing human resources through the principle of lifelong learning and was a true development monk who dedicated himself entirely to Buddhism.
Born on April 17, 1934, he was ordained at age 20 in 1954 at Wat Aran Waset in Roi Et province. A dedicated scholar who loved both worldly and religious texts, he earned numerous Buddhist education certifications including bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels in Buddhist studies from Wat Chai Mongkol, as well as advanced Dharma studies from various institutions. He completed a degree in Buddhist Studies from Maha Chulalongkorn Buddhist University's Loei campus in 2005.
In his ecclesiastical career, he was appointed district sangha leader of Muang Loei in 1972, assistant provincial sangha leader in 1977, abbot of Wat Sri Boon Ruang in 2000, and provincial sangha leader of Loei in 2006. He served as provincial ecclesiastical advisor from 2016 onwards. He received the monastic title of Phra Ratchakana (Ordinary Grade) as Phra Ratnakaowi and was subsequently elevated to Phra Rajveeraphon (Royal Grade) in 2007.
In 1970, Phra Rajveeraphon moved to Wat Sri Boon Ruang in Kud Pong district to teach Pali Buddhist scriptures, as there was a shortage of qualified Pali instructors at that time. He maintained strict adherence to Buddhist discipline and monastic codes throughout his life, establishing regulations for the monks under his governance including daily morning and evening chanting and regular Uposatha ceremonies.
