The Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand ( th, มหาเถรสมาคม; pi, Mahāthera Samāgama; abbreviated SSC) is the governing body of the Buddhist order (
Sangha
Sangha is a Sanskrit word used in many Indian languages, including Pali meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community"; Sangha is often used as a surname across these languages. It was historically used in a political context t ...
) of
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...
, and is the ultimate authority for all ecclesiastical matters within the Thai Sangha. Its leadership consists of the country's highest ranking monks, who consult the
Supreme Patriarch of Thailand with respect to administrative and theological matters.
The Sangha Supreme Council was established on 1 January 1963, under the Sangha Act of 1962.
Members of Sangha Supreme Council
President of Sangha Supreme Council
*
Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana IX (Amborn Ambaro), member of the Dhammayuttika order, abbot of
Wat Ratchabophit, bestowed the title of Somdet in 2009, was appointed
Supreme Patriarch
Sangharaja ( Pāli: '' sangha'' religious community + ''raja'' ruler, king, or prince) is the title given in many Theravada Buddhist countries to a senior monk who is the titular head either of a monastic fraternity ( nikaya), or of the ''Sangha'' ...
in 2017.
Councilors from Dhammayuttika Nikaya
* Somdet Phra Dhirañanamuni (Somchai Varajāyo), abbot of
Wat Debsirindrawas, bestowed the title of Somdet in 2010.
* Somdet Phra Maha Viravongse (Suchin Aggajino), assistant abbot of
Wat Ratchabophit, bestowed the title of Somdet in 2019.
* Phra Phrom Visuddhacarya (Montri Ganissaro), abbot of Wat Kruea Wan.
* Phra Phrom Muni (Bunroeng Puññajoto), abbot of
Wat Phra Si Mahathat
Wat Phra Si Mahathat Wora Maha Viharn ( th, วัดพระศรีมหาธาตุวรมหาวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple in the Bang Khen District of Bangkok. Construction began in 20 March 1941 in commemoration of the gove ...
.
* Phra Phrom Vajracarya (Phoonsak Varabhaddako), abbot of
Wat Ratchapradit
Wat Ratchapradit Sathit Mahasimaram Ratcha Wora Maha Viharn ( th, วัดราชประดิษฐสถิตมหาสีมารามราชวรวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok. Wat R ...
.
* Phra Phrom Vajirakara (Sunthon Sundarabho), abbot of Wat Ratchaphatikaram.
* Phra Phrom Vajiramedhi (Amorn Ñāṇodayo), abbot of
Wat Pathum Wanaram.
* Phra Dharmavisuddhacarya (Sawaeng Dhammesako), assistant abbot of Wat Bowon Niwet.
* Phra Debañaṇavisidh (Chaithawee Guttacitto), assistant abbot of Wat Pathum Wanaram.
Councilors from Maha Nikaya
* Somdet Phra Buddhacharya (Sanit Javanapañño), abbot of
Wat Traimit
The Golden Buddha, officially titled Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon ( th, พระพุทธมหาสุวรรณปฏิมากร; sa, Buddhamahāsuvarṇapaṭimākara), commonly known in Thai as Phra Sukhothai Traimit ( th, ...
, bestowed the title of Somdet in 2014.
* Somdet Phra Maha Dhiracarya (Pasarit Khemaṃkaro), abbot of
Wat Yannawa
Wat Yannawa (), commonly known in English as "the boat temple", is a Buddhist temple ( Wat) in Bangkok on Charoen Krung Road, Sathon district. The temple has a long history from the Ayutthaya era to the present. During the rule of King Rama III ...
, bestowed the title of Somdet in 2019.
* Somdet Phra Maha Rajjamangalamuni (Thongchai Dhammadhajo), assistant abbot of Wat Traimit, bestowed the title of Somdet in 2019.
* Phra Phrom Moli (Suchat Dhammaratano), assistant abbot of
Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen ( th, วัดปากน้ำภาษีเจริญ, ) is a royal '' wat'' ('temple') located in Phasi Charoen district, Bangkok, at the Chao Phraya River. It is part of the Maha Nikaya fraternity and is the ori ...
.
*
Phra Phrom Pandit (Prayoon Dhammacitto), abbot of
Wat Prayurawongsawat
* Phra Phrom Senapati (Phim Ñāṇaviro), abbot of
Wat Pathum Khongkha
Wat Pathum Khongkha Ratchaworawihan, or simple known as Wat Pathum Khongkha ( th, วัดปทุมคงคาราชวรวิหาร, วัดปทุมคงคา) is a second class royal temple in the Talat Noi area of Bangko ...
.
* Phra Phrom Kavi (Phongsant Dhammasettho), abbot of
Wat Kanlayanamit.
* Phra Phrom Vajiramuni (Choet Cittagutto), abbot of
Wat Suthat
Wat Suthat Thepwararam ( th, วัดสุทัศนเทพวราราม, ) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a royal temple of the first grade, one of ten such temples in Bangkok (23 in Thailand). Construction was begun ...
.
* Phra Dharmavajiramuni (Boonchit Ñāṇasaṃvaro), assistant abbot of
Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit
Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit ( th, วัดมหาธาตุยุวราชรังสฤษฎิ์) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.Liedtke 2011, p. 58 It is one of the ten royal temples of the highest class ( th, พร ...
.
* Phra Debagunabhara (Sophon Sobhanacitto), abbot of Wat Thewarat Kunchon.
The Sangha Act in Thailand
*The Sangha Administration Act of R.E. 121 (1903 or B.E. 2446)
*The Sangha Act of B.E. 2484 (1941)
*The Sangha Act of B.E 2505 (1962)
*The Sangha Act of B.E 2535 (1992)
*The Sangha Act of B.E 2560 (2017)
*The Sangha Act of B.E 2561 (2018)
References
{{reflist
Buddhist organizations based in Thailand
Organizations based in Nakhon Pathom Province
1963 establishments in Thailand
Religious organizations established in 1963