Supreme Patriarch
Supreme Patriarch is the title held by the head of a Buddhist order in Cambodia.[1][2] The office belongs to the religious hierarchy of Cambodian Buddhism.[1]
The two orders
Cambodian Buddhism has two monastic fraternities, Mohanikay and Thommayut. Their doctrines are close, but they differ over aspects of monastic discipline.[1] The Thommayut order was introduced from Thailand in 1855 through the monk Maha Pan. King Norodom commissioned Wat Botum (វត្តបទុមវតីរាជវរារាម) as its headquarters, and Maha Pan became its sangharaja.[1]
Titles and appointments
Chuon Nath (ជួន ណាត) held the Mohanikay office from 1948 to 1969.[1] Huot Tath (ហួត តាត) succeeded him as Mohanikay sangharaja for 1969 to 1975.[1]
In April 1975, the Khmer Rouge (ខ្មែរក្រហម) seized Phnom Penh.[1] In September 1979, monks from Vietnam re-ordained seven former senior monks at Wat Ounalom (វត្តឧណ្ណាលោម).[1]
In December 1991, Norodom Sihanouk (នរោត្តម សីហនុ) re-established two sangharaja positions: Tep Vong for Mohanikay and Bour Kry for Thommayut.[1] Formal restoration of the two hierarchies followed in February 1992.[1]
In May 2006, Tep Vong received the title Great Supreme Patriarch by government appointment, approved by King Sihamoni.[2]
Constitutional role
The heads of both orders sit on the Throne Council, which chooses the King under the Constitution of Cambodia.[2][1]
References
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