British monk named Shaun makes history by reaching Thai Buddhism's highest rank - 50 years after starting journey

By LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:04, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 01:22, 22 July 2026 A British man has become the first foreign-born monk to reach one of the highest ranks in Thai Buddhism, almost 50 years after travelling to the country in search of enlightenment. The 68-year-old, who was born Shaun Michael Chiverton on the Isle of Wight before becoming the monk Ajahn Jayasaro, was appointed to the prestigious title of Somdet Phra Rachakhana under a royal decree published in Thailand's Royal Gazette. The historic promotion places him at the second-highest level of Thailand's nine-tiered monastic hierarchy, just below the Supreme Patriarch, making him the first foreign-born monk ever to enter the upper echelons of the country's Buddhist order. His extraordinary journey began in the late 1970s after he became fascinated by Buddhist philosophy as a teenager while searching for the meaning of life. He studied in England under the British-born monk Ajahn Sumedho while saving money for a trip to Thailand before travelling to South East Asia in 1979. There, he became a disciple of Luang Por Chah Subhaddo, one of Thailand's most revered meditation masters, and entered the full monkhood the following year.  He was given the name Jayasaro, meaning 'one who is victorious through the dhamma' – the foundational teachings of the Buddha. After spending five years as a monk, he undertook the traditional dhutanga ascetic practices in a forest retreat before spending 16 years at Wat Pah Nanachat, the International Forest Monastery, where he served first as deputy abbot and later as abbot. The 68-year-old, who was born Shaun Michael Chiverton on the Isle of Wight before becoming the monk Ajahn Jayasaro, was appointed to the prestigious title of Somdet Phra Rachakhana under a royal decree He left the monastery in 2003 to live at a forest hermitage in Nakhon Ratchasima, where he has focused on teaching meditation and writing books that make Buddhist teachings more accessible. His rise through Thailand's religious hierarchy has accelerated in recent years, with three promotions in the past seven years. He was also granted Thai citizenship in 2020. The Bangkok Post has described Ajahn Jayasaro as 'one of Thailand's most respected contemporary Buddhist teachers'. He was one of eight monks elevated to the title of Somdet Phra Rachakhana, an honour recognising those who have demonstrated exemplary conduct and made significant contributions to Buddhism. Despite becoming one of Thailand's most senior monks, he continues to live alone in a forest hermitage near Khao Yai National Park. More than 90 per cent of Thailand's population identifies as Buddhist, and the country follows the Buddhist calendar, meaning the current year is 2569 rather than 2026. Although monks in saffron-orange robes continue to command deep respect across Thailand, the country's monastic order has come under increased scrutiny following a series of financial, sex and drug scandals. Last year, a woman was accused of blackmailing monks she had sexual relationships with and extorting millions of pounds from temple funds. Even so, temporary ordination remains an important rite of passage for many Thai men, with thousands entering the monkhood for several weeks or months during their lives.