Phra Iam Sirivanno
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Iam Sirivanno | |
|---|---|
| Personal life | |
| Born | September 1, 1933 |
| Died | June 8, 2023 |
| Education | Nak Tham Ek (Highest level of Dhamma studies) |
| Known for | Compiler of the Mon Phithi (Chanting Manual) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Temple | Wat Arun |
| Sect | Mahanikaya |
| Dharma names | Sirivanno |
Phra Ratchawatcharangsri (พระราชวัชรรังษี; also known as Iam Sirivanno, เอี่ยม สิริวณฺโณ) was a royal-ranked Thai Buddhist monk of the Mahanikaya order. He served as the assistant abbot of Wat Arun in Bangkok and was renowned as the compiler of the widely used Thai Buddhist chanting book Mon Phithi (Ritual Chants), which compiles essential chants used in religious ceremonies by monks and lay Buddhists throughout Thailand.[1]
Biography
[edit]Early life
[edit]Phra Ratchawatcharangsri was born as Iam Supharat on 1 September 1933 in Ban Phang Tru, Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi Province, Siam (now Thailand). He was the son of Mr. Krui Supharat and Mrs. Klaeo Supharat (later Kamsuk). He had four siblings.
He studied at Wat Phang Tru School. After completing Grade 2, his father passed away. His mother, who later became ill, vowed that if she recovered, her son would be ordained for seven days. She passed away while Iam was still a student in Grade 4. At the age of 17, he expressed his wish to his grandmother to ordain, and he was ordained as a novice monk (samanera) on 31 August 1950 at Wat Salawanaram (Don Taphet) in Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi. In 1951, he passed the Nak Tham third and second levels.[2]
Ordination as a monk
[edit]At age 20, he was ordained as a monk on 1 May 1953 at Wat Benphat, Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi Province. His preceptor was Phra Khru Phanom Thammarat (Song Intasaro) of Wat Salawanaram, assisted by Phra Athikan Phoem of Wat Don Ngio and Phra Luea of Wat Salawanaram. He received the monastic name Sirivanno.
After ordination, he pursued further studies at Wat Chai Chumphon Chana Songkhram and completed the highest Dhamma studies level (Nak Tham Ek). In 1956, he began teaching Pali at Wat Kuhasawan, Ratchaburi Province. The following year, he moved to Wat Suthiwat Wararam in Samut Sakhon Province and later served as secretary to the subdistrict ecclesiastical chief at Wat Laem Suwannaram.
In 1964, he transferred to Wat Arun in Bangkok, serving as secretary to the regional ecclesiastical head of Region 16 for five years. Later, in 1968, he moved to Wat Rat Bamrung, Chonburi Province, where he taught general education and served as secretary to Phra Thammakosajarn (Chop Anuchari) (later Phra Phimon Tham).[3]
Compilation of Mon Phithi (Ritual Chanting Book)
[edit]“This book compiles sacred chants and Buddhist verses from across Siam, complete and comprehensive. It is ideal for monks, novices, and lay Buddhists preparing for ordination or interested in the Dhamma. It is a spiritual inheritance for future generations.”
In 1970, Phra Suea Phutthadevo, a newly ordained monk interested in chanting, invited Phra Iam to compile a new chanting book. They printed 1,000 copies for monks in Chonburi Province. It gained popularity and was soon expanded into a comprehensive collection of chants and ceremonial recitations titled Suat Mon lae Sasana Phithi (Chanting and Rituals), also printed in 1,000 copies.
By 1972, the book became highly popular nationwide and was renamed Mon Phithi (Ritual Chants), with a preface by Phra Thammakosajarn (Chop Anuchari).
He later served as the subdistrict ecclesiastical head of Nong Hiang and assistant abbot of Wat Rat Bamrung (1977), returning to Wat Arun in 1980 and acting abbot of Wat Pradu Nai Songtham in 1986.
Ecclesiastical Titles
[edit]On 5 December 1991, he was granted the royal appointment as a second-class ecclesiastical prelate under the title Phra Khru Arundhamrangsri. Later, on 5 December 2006, he was elevated to the rank of first-class ecclesiastical prelate, retaining the same title. In 2017, Liang Chiang Publishing House obtained the rights to publish and distribute his well-known work Mon Phithi along with his other compositions.[4] On 20 June 2021, King Vajiralongkorn issued a royal decree conferring upon him the title Phra Ratchawatcharangsri, designating him as a royal-rank monk of the Ratchakhana class, resident of Wat Arun, with authority over four subordinate ecclesiastical assistants: Phra Khru Palat, Phra Khru Sangharak, Phra Khru Samuh, and Phra Khru Baidika.[5][6]
Passing
[edit]Phra Ratchawatcharangsri passed away peacefully on 8 June 2023 at Bangkok Hospital, Huai Khwang District, Bangkok.[7][8]
On 12 June 2023, King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida sent royal funeral water and floral tributes. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn also sent a royal wreath.[9] The royal cremation was held on 30 July 2023 at the crematorium of Wat Arun Ratchawararam with Somdet Phra Phutthachan (Sanan Chuanpanyo), member of the Supreme Sangha Council, presiding.
References
[edit]- ^ "Phra Ratchawatcharangsri, compiler of 'Mon Phithi'" – Khaosod
- ^ "Royal envoy presents ecclesiastical title to Phra Ratchawatcharangsri of Wat Arun" – Channel 7
- ^ "Royal appointment of Phra Ratchawatcharangsri" – Khaosod
- ^ "Biography of Phra Khru Arundhamrangsri" – Monpitee.com
- ^ "Royal decree appointing Phra Khru Arundhamrangsri as Phra Ratchawatcharangsri" – Daily News
- ^ "King grants royal title 'Phra Ratchawatcharangsri' to the compiler of Mon Phithi" – Banmuang
- ^ "Phra Ratchawatcharangsri, compiler of 'Mon Phithi,' passes away" – Kom Chad Luek
- ^ "Followers mourn Phra Ratchawatcharangsri" – Daily News
- ^ "Royal funeral rites held for Phra Ratchawatcharangsri" – Daily News