Ariyavangsagatayana (Sa Pussadeva)

He was born in 1812 in Nonthaburi Province and became widely known as the most famous Naga Luang novice in the Rattanakosin Kingdom, being the first novice in the kingdom’s history to pass the Parian Dhamma examination with all nine grades, earning him the title “Genius Novice of Rattanakosin.”

Before his appointment as Supreme Patriarch, he served as abbot of Wat Ratchapradit and resided at Wat Ratchaburana Sata Mahasima Ram Ratchaworawihan during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). He succeeded Pavares Variyalongkorn as Supreme Patriarch in 1893 (B.E. 2436) and held the position until his death in 1899 (B.E. 2442) at the age of 87. He was succeeded by Vajirananavarorasa.

Biography Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan (Sa Pussadevo) was a native of Bang Phai Subdistrict, Nonthaburi Province, born during the reign of King Rama II on Thursday, the 8th waning moon of the 9th lunar month, Year of the Rooster, Chulasakarat 1175, corresponding to 19 August 1813 (B.E. 2356). His family originally lived in Bang Choeng Kran, Ratchaburi Province. His father, Chan, was once ordained and well-versed in the Milindapañha and Mālāyasutra, earning the nickname “Chan Milindamalai.” His mother’s name was Suk. He had four siblings—Uap, Chang, Sa, Sang, and Im. His younger brother, Sang, was ordained at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara and later held the title Phra Samutmuni, but subsequently disrobed. It is unknown what surname Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan (Sa) used before ordination. During his lay life, he had a wife and descendants who adopted the surnames “Pussadet” and “Pussadevo,” families that still exist in Nonthaburi Province today.

Education He was ordained as a novice during the reign of Rama III. Initially residing at Wat Mai in Khlong Bang Khun Thian, Ban Mo, Bang Tanawsi, Nonthaburi (now Wat Nakhon In), he later moved to Wat Sangwet Witsayaram and then to the palace of the Vice King to study Pali with Teacher On and his own father, who was also an instructor there. At age 14, he took the Pali translation examination for the first time and translated two sections, though not enough to earn the “Parian” title, but was informally called “Parian Wang Na” (“Scholar of the Front Palace”).

Later, he became a disciple of Rama IV while the latter was still a monk at Wat Samorai (now Wat Ratchathiwas), famed for his Pali expertise. Under his tutelage, Novice Sa mastered the language and, at only 18, became the first novice in Rattanakosin to pass all nine grades of the Parian Dhamma examination.

He also composed the verse inscription on the gable of the Ministry of Defence and designed the national coat of arms under King Rama V.

Ecclesiastical Ranks 1839 (B.E. 2382) – Phra Amornmoli Later – Disrobed 1851 (B.E. 2394) – Reordained as Phra Pussadevo 1858 (B.E. 2401) – Phra Sasanasopon 1872 (B.E. 2415) – Phra Dhammaworodom 1879 (B.E. 2422) – Somdet Phra Phutthaghosa Chariya 1891 (B.E. 2434) – Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan 1893 (B.E. 2436) – Installed as Supreme Patriarch of Thailand

Passing Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan (Sa Pussadevo) suffered from dysentery beginning December 30, 1898, and died on Thursday, January 11, 1899 (B.E. 2442/2443). The next evening, King Chulalongkorn came from Bang Pa-In Palace to preside over the bathing ceremony. His royal cremation was held jointly with that of Pavares Variyalongkorn at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara on January 6, 1900. The ashes were enshrined at Wat Ratchaburana Sata Mahasima Ram on February 14, 1900. Following his death, King Chulalongkorn did not appoint another Supreme Patriarch for the remaining eleven years of his reign.