Thailand mourns top monk

Senior Buddhist leader passes away at the age of 100

Flags flew at half-mast and crowds of mourners turned out to pay their respects on Friday after Thailand's top Buddhist leader died at the age of 100.

Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara died on Thursday because of a blood infection following recent surgery for an intestinal infection, according to Chulalongkorn Hospital where he had been receiving treatment.

Hundreds of mourners lined the busy six-lane road on Friday outside the hospital, from where the body of the kingdom's top Buddhist leader was due to be transported to a temple in the capital for religious ceremonies.

People of all ages crouched respectfully next to the heavy traffic. Most were dressed in the mourning colors of black or white.

Thailand's most senior monk had been hospitalized for more than a decade.

The respected cleric was born Charoen Gajavatra on Oct 3, 1913, in the western Thai province of Kanchanaburi and ordained as a novice when he was 14 years old.

He was appointed Supreme Patriarch in 1989 by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was "very sad" to hear of his death, according to the royal household bureau, which was instructed by the monarch to mourn for 30 days.

Government offices and places of education were asked to fly flags at half mast for three days and civil servants were instructed to observe 15 days of mourning, according to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's office.

It said the government had learned of the Supreme Patriarch's death "with sadness", praising his contribution to Buddhism.

Last year, the World Fellowship of Buddhists bestowed the title of "Sangha Leader of the Buddhist World" on the Supreme Patriarch at a meeting in Japan.

Buddhism is Thailand's state religion and around 95 percent of the population is believed to follow it - the highest per capita percentage in the world.

Figures released last year by the National Office of Buddhism showed Thailand had more than 61,000 monks.

Their behavior frequently falls under the spotlight with media reports uncovering cases of clergy taking drugs, drinking, gambling and visiting prostitutes.

Earlier this year a videotape showing three monks traveling in a private jet, wearing sunglasses and carrying a Louis Vuitton luxury bag triggered fierce debate about the lavish lifestyles of some clerics.

(China Daily 10/26/2013 page6)