Sangharaja

Sangharaja (Pāli: sangha religious community + raja ruler, king, or prince) is the title given in many Theravada Buddhist countries to a senior monk who is the titular head either of a monastic fraternity (nikaya), or of the Sangha throughout the country. This term is often rendered in English as 'Patriarch' or 'Supreme Patriarch'.

The method for choosing a sangharaja has varied in different countries and time periods. For example, the sangharaja has been chosen: by monastic seniority, by royal appointment, by consensus among senior monks or laity.

The authority and responsibility assigned to the sangharaja can also vary significantly.

Further reading

• Sangharaja, Wikipedia