On August 6th, 2026 the Sangha and lay-disciples of Wat Pah Nanachat held a special welcoming ceremony at Wat Pah Nanachat for Tan Ajahn Jayasaro, expressing their utmost joy and respect for him receiving the highest royal honorary title in the Thai Sangha, offered by HM King of Thailand to Tan Ajahn for the outstanding benefits that his work in the Dhamma brought to Thai Buddhism, the title of “Somdet”.
Tan Ajahn Jayasaros new royal honorary name is “Somdet Phra Maha Phatcharayanamuni.”.
All participants were filled with heartfelt “mudita” (abundant rejoicing in the goodness of another being) and felt very fortunate to receive Tan Ajahn Somdets kind teachings and blessings on this historic occasion. It is the first time in Thai history that a foreign-born monk received these highest honours by HM King of Thailand.
In the afternoon a procession of monks and lay-people lead Tan Ajahn Somdet to the Chedi of Ven. Ajahn Chah in Wat Nong Pah Pong, where he graciously bowed to pay respects to his original teacher and preceptor when becoming a monk in 1980, and then proceeded to the main hall of Wat Nong Pah Pong, where he showed his reverence to the present abbot, Ven Luang Por Liem (Phra Prom Vachirayarnsophon), and ten of the most senior disciples of Ven Ajahn Chah in a formal ceremony.
Within both ceremonies — in the morning at Wat Pah Nanachat, and in the afternoon at Wat Nong Pah Pong — the monks, novices and all the lay-community of Ubon Ratchathani were given the opportunity to bow to and ask for forgiveness in the traditional way from the “new Somdet” — a truly uplifting auspicious occasion within the present day Thai Forest Tradition in the lineage of Ven Ajahn Chah.