Oct 29 -- The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) has nominated the abbot of Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen as the caretaker Supreme Patriarch, NOB director Nopparat Benjawatananun said on Monday.
Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn
Mr Nopparat said the NOB has submitted the name of Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, 88, who is also chairman of the monastic panel, to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for acknowledgement before his appointment is published in the Royal Gazette.
The move follows the death on Thursday of the 19th Supreme Patriarch, His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara from a blood infection.
The appointment of a caretaker Supreme Patriarch follows the Sangha Act of 1992 which stipulates that when the position of the Supreme Patriarch becomes vacant, the most senior somdet phra racha khana assumes the caretaker role.
Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn is currently the most senior, having received his title in 1995.
The selection process for the new Supreme Patriarch will commence after the royal funeral rites for His Holiness conclude on Jan 31.
A large crowd converged at Wat Bowon Niwet on the fourth day of His Holiness's funeral yesterday.
HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over the funeral chanting on behalf of His Majesty the King on Wednesday and chair the merit making on Thursday to mark the seventh day since the death of His Holiness.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will also hold a mass merit-making ceremony on Thursday.
The public is invited to take part in the morning alms-giving in front of City Hall.