Phra Phromphatcharayanmuni (Sean Chayasaro), also known as Ajahn Sean, was officially elevated to the ecclesiastical rank of Somdet Phra Mahaphatcharayanmuni by King Vajiralongkorn with a royal command. What is his biography?
Phra Phromphatcharayanmuni, also called Ajahn Sean or Ajahn Chayasaro, was originally named Sean Michael Shiverton. He was born on the Isle of Wight, England, in 1958. In 1978, he became a disciple of Luang Por Chah (Chah Suphatto, Phra Bodhinyanathera) at Wat Nong Pah Pong in Ubon Ratchathani Province. In 1980, he was ordained as a novice monk and then fully ordained on 3 June 1980 with Luang Por Chah as his preceptor.
After completing five years of training as a novice monk, Ajahn Chayasaro undertook forest wandering and solitary meditation until the Buddhist Lent of 1986, when he returned to Ubon Ratchathani. Afterwards, he mainly stayed at the International Forest Monastery, serving as deputy abbot.
Over the following years, he alternated between periods of solitary retreat and performing duties within the monastic community. During this time, senior monks entrusted him to compile the biography of Luang Por Chah, which he titled “Upalmani.” In 1997, he was appointed abbot of the International Forest Monastery until the end of 2002.
From early 2003, Ajahn Chayasaro lived in retreat at Chanamara Hermitage in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Alongside his personal practice, he periodically taught meditation to laypeople at Ban Boon Practice Center and contributed to integrating Buddhist life principles into education systems.
Ajahn Chayasaro has authored many Buddhist books in both Thai and English, some of which have been translated into other languages. His latest English work, 'Stillness Flowing,' is a significant detailed record of Luang Por Chah’s life and teachings.
In 2011, Ajahn Chayasaro was awarded an honorary doctorate in Dhammathasat (Buddhist Communications) from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. In 2019, King Vajiralongkorn conferred on him the ecclesiastical title Phra Rajaphatmanit. The following year, he was elevated to Phra Thepphatcharayanmuni and granted Thai citizenship. Somdet Phra Buddhakosajarn (P.A. Payutto) kindly bestowed the Thai surname 'Bodhanuwat' on him. In 2021, he was promoted to Phra Thamphatcharayanmuni, and in 2024 to Phra Phromphatcharayanmuni.
Most recently, on 14 July 2026, Phra Phromphatcharayanmuni was appointed Somdet Phra Ratchakhana with the formal title inscribed in the royal decree as Somdet Phra Mahaphatcharayanmuni Sri Vipassana Phawanaphoson Sophon Thamanujit Wichitthammapatipan Paisan Withetkitthakithada Suseelachariwat Sunthon Mahakhanissara Bowornsangharam Khamwasi Aranyawasi. He resides at Ban Rai Thorsri Monastery, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, with a monastic lineage of ten predecessors.
References:Panya Prateep Foundation
Image source:Facebook page: Dhamma by Ajahn Chayasaro / Dhamma by Ajahn Jayasaro