A British man has become the first foreign-born monk to attain one of the highest ranks in Thai Buddhism, nearly 50 years after arriving in the country.
The 68-year-old, formerly Shaun Michael Chiverton from the Isle of Wight, was appointed to the title of Somdet Phra Rachakhana under a royal decree. This promotion elevates him to the second-highest tier of Thailand's nine-tiered monastic hierarchy, just below the Supreme Patriarch.
Ajahn Jayasaro's spiritual journey began in the late 1970s when, as a teenager fascinated by Buddhist philosophy, he sought the meaning of life. He studied under British monk Ajahn Sumedho before traveling to Thailand in 1979. There, he became a disciple of meditation master Luang Por Chah Subhaddo and entered the full monkhood the following year, receiving the name Jayasaro, which means 'one who is victorious through the dhamma.'
After five years as a monk, he undertook traditional ascetic practices in forest retreats and spent 16 years at Wat Pah Nanachat, the International Forest Monastery, eventually serving as abbot. He left the monastery in 2003 to reside in a forest hermitage in Nakhon Ratchasima, focusing on teaching meditation and writing accessible books on Buddhist teachings.
His advancement within Thailand's religious hierarchy has been notable in recent years, with three promotions in the past seven years. He was also granted Thai citizenship in 2020.
The Bangkok Post has recognized Ajahn Jayasaro as 'one of Thailand's most respected contemporary Buddhist teachers.' He was among eight monks elevated to the Somdet Phra Rachakhana title, an honor for exemplary conduct and significant contributions to Buddhism.
Despite his senior monastic position, Ajahn Jayasaro continues to live in a forest hermitage near Khao Yai National Park. Over 90 percent of Thailand's population identifies as Buddhist. While monks are deeply respected, the monastic order has faced scrutiny due to financial, sex, and drug-related scandals in recent years.