The widely-respected new Sangharaja Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong. (Photograph by Thai Tribune.)

Thai media reported that the Prime Minister of Thailand led his entire cabinet of ministers and deputy ministers to pay respects to the newly-appointed ‘Sangharaja’, Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong, on Tuesday, 14 February.

In their meeting, the Sangharaja advised the Cabinet members to exercise ‘mindfulness’ in their work, and not to be obsessed with power, gain and fortune, as these worldly conditions are impermanent.  Instead, everyone should uphold moral principles in whatever situation to ensure welfare of the nation and her people.

Somdet Phra Maha Muniwong, 89, was formally appointed the ‘Supreme Patriarch’ of the Thai Sangha by His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn on 12 February 2017, succeeding his revered predecessor Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 100.