Paying Respects at the Beginning of the Rains-Retreat 2023

Since the time of Ven Ajahn Chah the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat traditionally begins the rains-retreat (pansah) by paying respects to various respected Elders in Ubon and the neighboring provinces. Ajahn Siripanyo took the group to Tan Jaokhun Thepvorajahn, Tan Jaokhun Sriratanobol (the senior monks in the Ubon- and Warin-Sangha Administration), Luang Poo See (the presently oldest monk in the Wat Pah Pong Sangha with 100 years of age), Luang Por Liem (the abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong), Luang Por Thun (Abbot of Wat Tham Saeng Phet), Luang Por Khun (Abbot of Wat Pah Bhosuvann), and Luang Por Damrong (Abbot of Wat Pah Nam Kam Goeng). The monks, novices and anagarikas felt very uplifted to be able to receive guidance and blessings for their practice from these venerable Elders.

Accepting three new monks into the Sangha

Early in the morning of July 28, 2023, Luang Por Liem kindly led the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat and Wat Nong Pah Pong as the preceptor for holding a Ceremony of Acceptance into the Sangha (Upasampada) for three new monks: Venerable Viriyo from Israel/Portugal, Venerable Ramaniyo from Brazil, and Venerable Tissaro from Israel. We wholeheartedly rejoice in our new Sangha members taking up the full commitment to the bhikkhu-life and wish that all their wholesome aspirations within in the Dhamma-Vinaya may soon be fulfilled.

Ceremony of Going Forth as a novice

The Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat happily welcomes two new novices in the yellow robes: Samanera Thitako from Israel, and Samanera Khemarato from India. The ceremony of Going Forth as a novice was held at Wat Pah Na Gae in Ampher Det Udom in Ubon Province, with Tan Ajahn Sawaeng kindly taking on the role of the preceptor. Ajahn Siripanyo and Ajahn Sukhito took the Sangha over to take part in the ceremony, whereas Ajahn Kevali extends his wholehearted blessings from abroad while on retreat. May the two prosper in the Dhamma Vinaya and experience deep happiness and peace in the monastic life.

India Pilgrimage

From February 24th to March 7th, 2023 seven monks from Wat Pah Nanachat went on pilgrimage to India with a group of almost 40 lay-disciples of the monastery. They also met up with members of the Aranya Vihara Trust, the group pioneering a future branch monastery north of Delhi, and met up with Ajahn Jivako, who is leading this project.

Going Forth as Novice

On February 3rd Wat Pah Nanachat was able to welcome two new novices going forth in the midst of the Sangha: Samanera Ramaniyo from Brazil and Samanera Visarado from France. May they ever prosper in the yellow robes.

Taking Leave of Luang Por Sumedho

On Jan 9, 2023 the Sangha and lay community of Wat Pah Nanachat took leave from its founding Elder, Luang Por Sumedho, who, during the past weeks - despite his advanced age - generously bestowed kind blessings on the community of Wat Pah Nanachat - for example with his presence at the inauguration of the new Uposatha Hall, during several joyfully engaged teaching-occasions and many warmhearted meetings with other senior monks of his generation. In the ceremony of embedding the central Sima stone on December 27th, 2022, Luang Por was leading the group of senior monks giving blessings to HM King and HM Queen on their Royal visit, a truly uplifting inspiration for all monks and laypeople gathered on this historic occasion.

We all wish Luang Por good health and strength for his own ease and comfort and the encouragement of all of us in our practice following his teachings for many more years to come.

First Patimokkha in the new Uposatha Hall

The most common formal Sangha gathering in an Uposatha-Hall (Bot) is the fortnightly recitation of the 227 training-rules of the monks, the Patimokkha. The first Patimokkha held in the new Bot of Wat Pah Nanachat on the full moon day of January 2023, was attended by Luang Por Sumedho, which was a very auspicious occasion.

First Father of a Wat Pah Nanachat monk ordaining

The next special Bhikkhu-ordination followed on December 30th with the father of one of the senior monks at Wat Pah Nanachat becoming a Bhikkhu within the Wat Pah Nanachat Sangha. He received the pali name Khantidharo, “bearer of patience”, as for an elder man from overseas taking on the training in the Dhamma Vinaya in a Thai Forest Monastery would certainly require a much of the quality of “khanti” - patient endurance. Ven. Khantidharo’s son took on the role of chanting the Sangha-transaction of acceptance into monkhood, and further acted as his father’s mentor.

The Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat and many senior visiting Ajahns wholeheartedly wish the venerable new Bhikkhu many good insights into the teachings of the Buddha.

First Bhikkhu Ordination in Wat Pah Nanachat

On December 28th 2022 for the first time since the monastery was founded the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat held an “Upasampada” Ceremony, accepting four new Bhikkhus into the Sangha, with Ajahn Kevali performing the duty of the “Upajjhaya” (preceptor). The occasion was marked by the presence of many senior Elders and layguests, after the new Sima of Wat Pah Nanachat had been established on the day before.

New Uposatha Hall of Wat Pah Nanachat

The new Uposatha Hall of Wat Pah Nanachat is getting ready for the inauguration ceremonies from December 25th to 27th. The Sangha and all the laypeople of Wat Pah Nanachat feel fortunate to be able to determine a proper sima and perform ordinations and other sangha transactions in this classic setting.
We are also overjoyed to host a piece of traditional Northeastern-Thai/Laotion architecture on our monastery grounds. Here are some photos of the building about to be completed.

Visit by Most Ven. Somdet Phra Mahathirachan

On August 31st the monastic and lay community of Wat Pah Nanachat felt truly honored by the kindness of Most Ven. Somdet Phra Mahathirachan, Abbot of Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimonmangklaram (Wat Bho), Bangkok, the head of the Thai Overseas Buddhist Mission, on a visit to give Wat Pah Nanachat inspiration and support for the upcoming opening ceremony of the new Uposatha Hall (Bot).

On arrival the Most Ven. Somdet planted two trees as an auspicious sign in front of the new Uposatha Hall, gave the Sangha the opportunity to pay respects, presented a brief overview of the development of the spread of Buddhism around the world, expressed his veneration for Luang Por Chah as the founder of Wat Pah Nanachat and it’s various associated monasteries abroad, and kindly concluded with giving a blessing to the community of Wat Pah Nanachat, expressing his well wishing to all of us.