Seven-Year-Old Novice Monk Masters Buddhist Chanting Feat
A 7-year-old novice monk from Nakhon Ratchasima made history by flawlessly reciting the Buddhist disciplinary code in 50 minutes, becoming the youngest monk to pass the rigorous examination during a merit-making ceremony in Bangkok.
On Monday, August 3, 2025, Phra Mahachid Vachirayana, abbot of Wat Nikhom Pang 16 Monastery in Nakhon Ratchasima, traveled with seven-year-old novice monk Trin Abiwun Saong, the youngest participant in the Buddhist chanting program, to perform a merit-making ceremony for Somdet Phra Vachirasidhicharya at Wat Saraket Rajavoramahavihara in Bangkok during the Buddhist Lent festival.
Young novice Trin impressed the monastic community and Buddhist devotees by successfully reciting the Patimokkha, the Buddhist disciplinary code, flawlessly and distinctly in fifty minutes—a historic achievement as the youngest monk to pass this rigorous examination. Somdet Phra Vachirasidhicharya provided spiritual guidance to all monks present, emphasizing the importance of living by Buddhist discipline with mindfulness of body, speech, and mind, and dedicating themselves to studying the Dharma and monastic duties during the three-month Lent period as a time for moral development.
Somdet Phra Vachirasidhicharya also granted educational scholarships to the young novice to encourage his continued study of Buddhist texts and observance of discipline. The merit-making ceremony during Lent is a traditional monastic practice in which younger monks show humility and respect to senior monks, seeking forgiveness for any transgressions and receiving teachings to guide their practice and spiritual development for the benefit of Buddhism throughout the Lent season.
Wat Nikhom Pang 16 has received long-standing support from Somdet Phra Phutthacharn (Keow Upaseno), former Supreme Patriarch and former abbot of Wat Saraket Rajavoramahavihara, who has visited, encouraged, and provided financial assistance since the temple's founding, helping it flourish and develop to its current prosperous condition.
