Thai Buddhist monks

Phra Dharma Visuddhi Mangala (Bua Ñāṇasampaṇṇo) (RTGS: Phra Thamma Wisutthi Mongkhon (Bua Yanasampanno); Thai: พระธรรมวิสุทธิมงคล (บัว ญาณสมฺปนฺโน)), commonly known as Ajahn Maha Bua or in Thai Luang Ta Maha Bua (Thai: พระอาจารย์มหาบัว, หลวงตามหาบัว; the word "Ajahn" (Thai: อาจารย์; rtgs: Achan) means "teacher"), born as Bua Lohitdee (Thai: บัว โลหิตดี), (August 12, 1913 – January 30, 2011), was a Thai Buddhist monk. Bua is one of the best known Thai Buddhist monks of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He was widely regarded as an Arahant — a living Buddhist saint. He was a disciple of the esteemed forest master Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta, and was himself considered a master in the Thai Forest Tradition. He was a harsh critic of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as well as of events taking place in Watpa Salawan after the death of its abbot Luangpho Phut.

Somdet To (1788-1872; B.E. 2331-2415), known formally as Somdet Phra Buddhacarya (To Brahmaramsi) (Thai: สมเด็จพระพุฒาจารย์ (โต พฺรหฺมรํสี); rtgs: Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrommarangsi)), was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand's Rattanakosin Period and continues to be the most widely known monk in Thailand. He is widely revered in Thailand as a monk who possessed magical powers and his amulets are widely sought after. His images and statues are some of the most widespread religious icons in Bangkok.

Buddhacarya (Thai: สมเด็จพระพุฒาจารย์; rtgs: Phutthachan), dharma name Upaseṇo (Thai: อุปเสโณ; rtgs: Uppaseno), born as Kiaw Chokchai (Thai: เกี่ยว โชคชัย; rtgs: Kiao Chokchai), and commonly known as Somdet Kiaw (Thai: สมเด็จเกี่ยว; "His Holiness Kiaw"), was a Thai prelate who was the abbot of Wat Saket and the Acting Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, the effective leader of all Buddhist monks in Thailand. He was appointed Acting Supreme Patriarch in 2005 due to the failing health of the incumbent Supreme Patriarch Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana. He was a monk of the Mahanikaya order, and is of Thai Chinese descent. His appointment provoked severe criticism from Luang Ta Maha Bua (of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya order) and Sondhi Limthongkul, who claimed that the appointment created two Supreme Patriarchs and contravened the royal prerogative of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In 4 March 2005, Maha Bua even petitioned King Bhumibol Adulyadej to remove all of Kiaw's royal titles.

Luang Por Dhammajayo (Thai: ธมฺมชโย, Thammachayo, Luang Por being a deferential title), also known by the lay name Chaiyabun Suddhipol, is a Thai Buddhist monk. He was the abbot of the Buddhist temple Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the post he held until 1999 and again from 2006 to December 2011. In December 2016, he was given the post of honorary abbot of the temple. He is a student of the nun (maechi) Chandra Khonnokyoong, and is the most well-known teacher of Dhammakaya meditation. He has been subject to criticism and government response. However, he continues to be a spiritual leader that has significant influence in Thai society. Luang Por Dhammajayo's approach to Buddhism seeks to combine the ascetic and meditative life with modern personal ethics and social prosperity.

Phra Mongkhonthepmuni or Phra Mongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro; 10 October 1884 – 3 February 1959) (Thai: พระมงคลเทพมุนี), the late abbot of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, was the founder of the Thai Dhammakaya meditation school in 1914.

Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krommaluang Vajirañāṇasaṃvara (Thai: สมเด็จพระสังฆราชเจ้า กรมหลวงวชิรญาณสังวร; Somdet Phra Sangkharat Chao Kromma Luang Wachirayannasangwon; 3 October 1913 – 24 October 2013), né Charoen Khachawat (Thai: เจริญ คชวัตร) and dharma name Suvaḍḍhano (Thai: สุวฑฺฒโน), was the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. He was appointed to the position in 1989 by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He turned 100 in October 2013, and died later the same month.

Commonly referred to as Luangpor Thong, Luangpor Thong Abhakaro is a Buddhist monk and teacher of Mahasati Meditation —a meditation method developed by his teacher, Luangpor Teean Jittasubho. The title Luangpor is used in Thailand to express respect for senior Buddhist monks and it means "venerable father".

Maha Nikaya

Somdet Phra Ariyavangsagatayana Somdet Phra Sangharaja (known also as Ariyavangsagatayana II) was the 9th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand 1893–1899. He was born in 1812 in the Nonthaburi Province as Sa Pussadeva. Prior to becoming supreme patriarch, he was the abbot of Wat Ratchapradit. He succeeded Pavares Variyalongkorn as Patriarch in 1893. He died aged 87 years in 1899 and was succeeded by Vajirananavarorasa.

Mahā Nikāya