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Thailand Elevates British Monk Shaun Chiverton to Second Rank

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 3:36 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Thailand’s Buddhist community elevated British-born monk Shaun Chiverton to Somdet Phra Rachakhana, the second-highest monastic rank.
The 68-year-old monk, now called Ajahn Jayasaro, is the first non-Thai to hold the title.
Chiverton grew up in a working-class family on England’s southern coast.
He traveled to India about fifty years ago to study Buddha’s teachings.

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Story summary

Thailand’s Buddhist community elevated British-born monk Shaun Chiverton to Somdet Phra Rachakhana, the second-highest monastic rank.
The 68-year-old monk, now called Ajahn Jayasaro, is the first non-Thai to hold the title.
Chiverton grew up in a working-class family on England’s southern coast.
He traveled to India about fifty years ago to study Buddha’s teachings.