Sacred Items News – Medal of Progress Commemorate Somdet Phra Buddhakosajarn (Charoen)

Somdet Phra Buddhakosajarn (Charoen Yanawaro), former abbot of Wat Thepsirin in Bangkok and a venerable teacher of great significance to Thai Buddhism. Originally named Charoen Sukbut, he was born on Tuesday, July 9, 1872, in Talat Klang subdistrict, Bang Plasoi district, Chon Buri province, to parents Tongsuek and Ya-ang Sukbut. At age 12, he underwent the ordination ceremony at his grandmother's garden pavilion in Na Klua subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, with Phra Chalothop Kunmuni serving as his preceptor. He continued his studies at Wat Khao Bang Sai until age 14, when he entered scriptural studies under Phra Kru Vinaidhon at Wat Rajabophit. At age 20, he returned to Wat Khao Bang Sai for full ordination, also under Phra Chalothop Kunmuni, and received the religious name Yanawaro. He then traveled to Bangkok and resided at Wat Kanmatuyaram to facilitate his continued education. He subsequently studied in the lineage of Somdet Phra Shasanasophan and was stationed as a teacher at Wat Phichaiyadigaram during his monastic years. In 1895, he took the Pali scriptural examination at Mahamakut Royal Buddhist University, advancing progressively through four levels. In 1896, he came to Wat Thepsirin to pursue advanced scriptural studies under the direction of Somdet Phra Maha Samanajao, and that same year he took the examination at Mahamakut Royal Buddhist University, advancing through seven levels and receiving first-prize honors at every stage from the basic to the highest level. He then became head teacher of the Pali language school at Wat Thepsirin. By 1898, having completed seven rains retreats and reaching age 27, he was appointed as ecclesiastical superior in Prachuap Buri province and also appointed supervisor of Wat Samphanthawong on January 22 of that year. On Wednesday, January 25, 1898, following the resignation of Mom Chao Phra Srisukat Kattayanu as abbot of Wat Thepsirin, he was appointed as abbot of Wat Thepsirin. Upon assuming his duties, there were 46 resident monks and 30 novices at the temple. During his early ordinations with only seven rains retreats, he served as ordination master, as his seniority was not yet sufficient for the rank of preceptor. He therefore invited Somdet Phra Maha Samanajao to serve as the resident preceptor. His monastic ranks progressed as follows: May 25, 1902, appointed as senior ecclesiastical superior at Wat Phra Muni; May 6, 1906, appointed as celestial-ranked ecclesiastical superior at Wat Phichaiyadigaram; January 25, 1910, appointed as dhamma-ranked ecclesiastical superior at Wat Dhammaitrailokajarn. On September 24, 1921, he was appointed as vice-president of the Dhammayut Nikaya; on November 6, 1928, he was appointed as president of the Northern Council. In terms of administrative positions within the Sangha: in 1898, he became abbot of Wat Thepsirin; in 1902, he was appointed as provincial council chairman for Prachuap Buri; in 1924, he became provincial council chairman for both Prachuap Buri and Chanthaburi; in 1932, he became chairman of the Council of Elders; in 1945, he became Sangha Supreme Patriarch; in 1949, he became Supreme Patriarch for the second time. He suffered from liver cancer and passed away on Friday, June 8, 1950, at 10:00 a.m. The Medal of Progress was created in 1971 to commemorate the 99th anniversary of his birth.