King anoints new Supreme Patriarch
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His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Sunday presided over the ceremony to appoint Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayan, the abbot of Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram Temple, as the country’s 20th Supreme Patriarch at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
To honour Thailand’s new Buddhism chief, an investiture ceremony started at about 6.30pm with the King presenting saffron robes to senior monks from the Sangha Supreme Council. He then lit candles and incense sticks to worship the Tripitaka, after which senior monks of the Racha Khana rank chanted and granted religious precepts to the King.
The Bureau of Royal Scribes and Royal Decorations then announced the royal command appointing the new Supreme Patriarch.
The appointment was followed prayers by Racha Khanaranking monks, and then prayers by Sangha Council members.
