Monks’ Ranks and Titles
The special names and titles used for monks can be a very confusing matter. Basically, monks may be referred to according to three “traditions” or tendencies: titles from the Buddhist canon; a developed system of ranks unique to the Thai sangha; and colloquial terms of reverence. The use of these terms would depend on the context of the meeting. When referring to the length of time a monk has been in the order, a canonical reference may be used; in an urban, administrative setting, a formal rank/title might be applied; while out in the village setting, local people would most likely use more colloquial references.
Upon ordination, a monk is given a new name, called a chaya. This name usually comes from the Buddhist textual language, Pali. Regardless of other factors listed below, a monk may continue to be known by the Thai generic term for a monk — phra — coupled with this new name. The chaiya may be based on a part of the persons given name, such as initial consonants. For example, in the case of this Swedish foreigner, the name Olson might go to the Pali name Obhaso — “the shining one.” And so, one might be known as Phra Obhaso. (Strictly speaking, however, some people suggest that a monk should be called Samana _____ or _____ Bhikkhu, until he has attained a title, after which he would be known as Phra + title + name. As with many things, actual practices are something different alltogether.) Once a monk attains other titles, these names might be dropped in favor of the titles, as we will see...
Canonical Tradition of Ranks according to the Vinaya (all lists in descending order)
samanera (Thai, nen or samanen) — a novice monk who has yet to receive higher ordination
navaka — a newly ordained monk
nissaya-muttaka — a monk who has spent five years in the monkhood
majjhima — a monk who has spent between five to ten years in the Order (middle rank)
thera — a monk who has spent ten years or more in the monkhood and is eligible to be a preceptor (upajjhaya, one who ordains other monks)
maha-thera — often used to refer to a monk who has spent twenty years or more in the Order
In summary, monks are distinguished by the term navaka for those who have been in the Order five years or less, majjhima prior to the completion of ten years, thera after ten years. Maha-thera is occasionally used for monks who have been in the Order twenty years or more. Among laity, the terms thera and maha-thera are heard most often.
The Developed Thai System of Ranks
After higher ordination:
maha — a monk who has passed Pali grade 3 (parian 3) [note: in the past this term was often extended to laity who had been in the Buddhist order and had been “schooled” in Buddhist knowledge. This term may also be used in a fond, somewhat facetious manner to refer to very reverential men who have spent time in the monkhood.]
Divisions of honorific titles/ranks:
I. phra khrusanyabat
II. phra racha khana (more colloquially known as a chao khun)
phra racha khana chan saman (“ordinary” class)
phra racha khana chan raj
phra racha khana chan thep
phra racha khana chan tham
phra racha khana chan rong somdet (“deputy” somdet, also known as chan phrom)
Monks with these titles would also have name ranks using the title as a kind of “prefix.” For example, a monk with a raj title may have the name/rank of Phra Rajakawi; with a thep ... Phra Thepkoson; and with tham may have the name of Phra Thammuni. To make matters a bit more confusing and research more challenging, many of these names are romanized according to the monk’s preference, which can often include a mix of Sanskrit, Pali, or Thai. For example, Phra Dhammapitaka romanizes his rank/name according to Pali instead of Thai (which would be Thammapitok).
III. somdet phra racha khana (full somdet rank)
There are about a handful of monks holding this rank. One of them will hold the highest title of Sangharaja, or Supreme Patriarch, of the Thai Buddhist Order.
Monks move through the ranks based on accomplishment and recognition of service. Monks may be recornized for scholarly study, assistance to other high ranking monks, or becoming an administrator (especially an abbot) at a (royal) temple. For example, A monk who is the abbot of a major royal temple, such as Wat Pho or Wat Mahathat would normally not have a rank below phra racha khana chan tham; or if his rank were lower, upon appointment he would receive a higher rank.
At official functions, monks sit in order of rank. All things being equal (rarely the case) the monk with the most tenure in the Order would sit ahead of another monk.
Some Examples of more Colloquial Thai Terms
luang phi — “Venerable Elder,” a reverential term for a younger, freshly ordained monk
luang ta — “Venerable Uncle,” a reverential term for an elderly monk without titles
luang pho — “Venerable Father,” a reverential term for an elderly monk
chao khun — a monk who holds phra racha khana rank (see above) but not used for the Sangharaja
A growing number of people feel that the bureaucracy of the monkhood is ineffective and that there is far too much emphasis placed on rank. At any rate, it is clear the Thai penchant for hierarchy is mirrored in the system of ranks for monks.
Somdetphraratchakhana
1. Somdet Phrasangkharatchao
2. Somdet Phrasangkharat
3. Somdet Phraratchakhana chan suphannabat
Phraratchakhana
4. Phraratchakhana chaokhanarong chan hiranyabat
5. Phraratchakhana chaokhanarong chan sanyabat
6. Phraratchakhana chan tham
7. Phraratchakhana chan thep
8. Phraratchakhana chan raj
9. Phraratchakhana chan saman
— Phraratchakhana palat khwa - palat sai
— Phraratchakhana rongchaokhana phak
— Phraratchakhana chaokhana changwat
— Phraratchakhana rongchaokhana changwat
— Phraratchakhana chan saman parian fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
— Phraratchakhana chan saman parian po. tho. 9-8-7-6-5-4-3
— Phraratchakhana chan saman thiapparian fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
— Phraratchakhana chan saman thiapparian
— Phraratchakhana chan samanyok fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
— Phraratchakhana chan samanyok
(in the event of a royal kathin ceremony, an abbot of a certain temple may sit ahead of another monk with a higher rank)
Phrakhrusanyabat
10. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana changwat
11. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaokhana changwat
12. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek
13. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana amphoe chan-phiset
14. Phrakhrupalat khong somdet phraratchakhana
15. Phrapariantham 9 prayok
16. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat phra aram luang chan-tho
17. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana amphoe chan-ek
18. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat phra aram luang chan-tri
19. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana amphoe chan-tho
20. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek
21. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat phra aram luang chan-tho
22. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat phra aram luang chan-tri
23. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-phiset (or the equivalent)
24. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura) (or the equivalent)
25. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek (or the equivalent)
26. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhanarong chan hiranyabat
27. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhanarong chan sanyabat
28. Phrakhruthananukrom chan-ek khong somdet phrasangkharat
29. Phrapariantham 8 prayok
30. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-tho (or the equivalent)
31. Phrapariantham 7 prayok
32. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhana chan tham
33. Phrakhruthananukrom chan-tho khong somdet phra sangkharat (phrakhru parit)
34. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaokhana amphoe chan-ek
35. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaokhana amphoe chan-tho
36. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-ek fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
37. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-ek
38. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-tho
39. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-tri
40. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-ek
41. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-tho fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
42. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-tho
43. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-tri
44. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat watrat
45. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat watrat
46. Phrapariantham 6 prayok
47. Phrapariantham 5 prayok
48. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhana chan thep
49. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhana chan thep
50. Phrakhru winaithon
51. Phrakhru thammathon
52. Phrakhru khusuat
53. Phrapariantham 4 prayok
54. Phrapalat khong phraratchakhana chan saman
55. Phrapariantham 3 prayok
56. Phrakhru rongkhusuat
57. Phrakhru sangkharak
58. Phrakhru samu
59. Phrakhru baithika
60. Phra samu
61. Phra baithika
62. Phra phithikam
The special names and titles used for monks can be a very confusing matter. Basically, monks may be referred to according to three “traditions” or tendencies: titles from the Buddhist canon; a developed system of ranks unique to the Thai sangha; and colloquial terms of reverence. The use of these terms would depend on the context of the meeting. When referring to the length of time a monk has been in the order, a canonical reference may be used; in an urban, administrative setting, a formal rank/title might be applied; while out in the village setting, local people would most likely use more colloquial references.
Upon ordination, a monk is given a new name, called a chaya. This name usually comes from the Buddhist textual language, Pali. Regardless of other factors listed below, a monk may continue to be known by the Thai generic term for a monk — phra — coupled with this new name. The chaiya may be based on a part of the persons given name, such as initial consonants. For example, in the case of this Swedish foreigner, the name Olson might go to the Pali name Obhaso — “the shining one.” And so, one might be known as Phra Obhaso. (Strictly speaking, however, some people suggest that a monk should be called Samana _____ or _____ Bhikkhu, until he has attained a title, after which he would be known as Phra + title + name. As with many things, actual practices are something different alltogether.) Once a monk attains other titles, these names might be dropped in favor of the titles, as we will see...
Canonical Tradition of Ranks according to the Vinaya (all lists in descending order)
samanera (Thai, nen or samanen) — a novice monk who has yet to receive higher ordination
navaka — a newly ordained monk
nissaya-muttaka — a monk who has spent five years in the monkhood
majjhima — a monk who has spent between five to ten years in the Order (middle rank)
thera — a monk who has spent ten years or more in the monkhood and is eligible to be a preceptor (upajjhaya, one who ordains other monks)
maha-thera — often used to refer to a monk who has spent twenty years or more in the Order
In summary, monks are distinguished by the term navaka for those who have been in the Order five years or less, majjhima prior to the completion of ten years, thera after ten years. Maha-thera is occasionally used for monks who have been in the Order twenty years or more. Among laity, the terms thera and maha-thera are heard most often.
The Developed Thai System of Ranks
After higher ordination:
maha — a monk who has passed Pali grade 3 (parian 3) [note: in the past this term was often extended to laity who had been in the Buddhist order and had been “schooled” in Buddhist knowledge. This term may also be used in a fond, somewhat facetious manner to refer to very reverential men who have spent time in the monkhood.]
Divisions of honorific titles/ranks:
I. phra khrusanyabat
II. phra racha khana (more colloquially known as a chao khun)
phra racha khana chan saman (“ordinary” class)
phra racha khana chan raj
phra racha khana chan thep
phra racha khana chan tham
phra racha khana chan rong somdet (“deputy” somdet, also known as chan phrom)
Monks with these titles would also have name ranks using the title as a kind of “prefix.” For example, a monk with a raj title may have the name/rank of Phra Rajakawi; with a thep ... Phra Thepkoson; and with tham may have the name of Phra Thammuni. To make matters a bit more confusing and research more challenging, many of these names are romanized according to the monk’s preference, which can often include a mix of Sanskrit, Pali, or Thai. For example, Phra Dhammapitaka romanizes his rank/name according to Pali instead of Thai (which would be Thammapitok).
III. somdet phra racha khana (full somdet rank)
There are about a handful of monks holding this rank. One of them will hold the highest title of Sangharaja, or Supreme Patriarch, of the Thai Buddhist Order.
Monks move through the ranks based on accomplishment and recognition of service. Monks may be recornized for scholarly study, assistance to other high ranking monks, or becoming an administrator (especially an abbot) at a (royal) temple. For example, A monk who is the abbot of a major royal temple, such as Wat Pho or Wat Mahathat would normally not have a rank below phra racha khana chan tham; or if his rank were lower, upon appointment he would receive a higher rank.
At official functions, monks sit in order of rank. All things being equal (rarely the case) the monk with the most tenure in the Order would sit ahead of another monk.
Some Examples of more Colloquial Thai Terms
luang phi — “Venerable Elder,” a reverential term for a younger, freshly ordained monk
luang ta — “Venerable Uncle,” a reverential term for an elderly monk without titles
luang pho — “Venerable Father,” a reverential term for an elderly monk
chao khun — a monk who holds phra racha khana rank (see above) but not used for the Sangharaja
A growing number of people feel that the bureaucracy of the monkhood is ineffective and that there is far too much emphasis placed on rank. At any rate, it is clear the Thai penchant for hierarchy is mirrored in the system of ranks for monks.
Somdetphraratchakhana
1. Somdet Phrasangkharatchao
2. Somdet Phrasangkharat
3. Somdet Phraratchakhana chan suphannabat
Phraratchakhana
4. Phraratchakhana chaokhanarong chan hiranyabat
5. Phraratchakhana chaokhanarong chan sanyabat
6. Phraratchakhana chan tham
7. Phraratchakhana chan thep
8. Phraratchakhana chan raj
9. Phraratchakhana chan saman
— Phraratchakhana palat khwa - palat sai
— Phraratchakhana rongchaokhana phak
— Phraratchakhana chaokhana changwat
— Phraratchakhana rongchaokhana changwat
— Phraratchakhana chan saman parian fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
— Phraratchakhana chan saman parian po. tho. 9-8-7-6-5-4-3
— Phraratchakhana chan saman thiapparian fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
— Phraratchakhana chan saman thiapparian
— Phraratchakhana chan samanyok fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
— Phraratchakhana chan samanyok
(in the event of a royal kathin ceremony, an abbot of a certain temple may sit ahead of another monk with a higher rank)
Phrakhrusanyabat
10. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana changwat
11. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaokhana changwat
12. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek
13. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana amphoe chan-phiset
14. Phrakhrupalat khong somdet phraratchakhana
15. Phrapariantham 9 prayok
16. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat phra aram luang chan-tho
17. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana amphoe chan-ek
18. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat phra aram luang chan-tri
19. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana amphoe chan-tho
20. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek
21. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat phra aram luang chan-tho
22. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat phra aram luang chan-tri
23. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-phiset (or the equivalent)
24. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura) (or the equivalent)
25. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-ek (or the equivalent)
26. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhanarong chan hiranyabat
27. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhanarong chan sanyabat
28. Phrakhruthananukrom chan-ek khong somdet phrasangkharat
29. Phrapariantham 8 prayok
30. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat phra aram luang chan-tho (or the equivalent)
31. Phrapariantham 7 prayok
32. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhana chan tham
33. Phrakhruthananukrom chan-tho khong somdet phra sangkharat (phrakhru parit)
34. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaokhana amphoe chan-ek
35. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaokhana amphoe chan-tho
36. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-ek fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
37. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-ek
38. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-tho
39. Phrakhrusanyabat chaokhana tambon chan-tri
40. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-ek
41. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-tho fai wiphatsana thura (vipassana dhura)
42. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-tho
43. Phrakhrusanyabat chaoawat watrat chan-tri
44. Phrakhrusanyabat rongchaoawat watrat
45. Phrakhrusanyabat phuchuai chaoawat watrat
46. Phrapariantham 6 prayok
47. Phrapariantham 5 prayok
48. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhana chan thep
49. Phrakhrupalat khong phraratchakhana chan thep
50. Phrakhru winaithon
51. Phrakhru thammathon
52. Phrakhru khusuat
53. Phrapariantham 4 prayok
54. Phrapalat khong phraratchakhana chan saman
55. Phrapariantham 3 prayok
56. Phrakhru rongkhusuat
57. Phrakhru sangkharak
58. Phrakhru samu
59. Phrakhru baithika
60. Phra samu
61. Phra baithika
62. Phra phithikam
