A British-born man became the first foreign-born monk to reach one of the highest positions in Thailand’s Buddhist hierarchy, nearly 50 years after he moved to the country in search of enlightenment.

Ajahn Jayasaro, born Shaun Michael Chiverton, was appointed to the second-highest rank in Thai Buddhism through a decree published in the Royal Gazette.

The 68-year-old was described by the Bangkok Post as “one of Thailand’s most respected contemporary Buddhist teachers”.

Born on the Isle of Wight in 1958, Ajahn Jayasaro began questioning the meaning of life at a young age and turned to Buddhist philosophy for answers. In his late teenage years, he studied with British monk Ajahn Sumedho while saving money for a journey to Thailand.

He arrived in Southeast Asia in 1979 and became a disciple of Luang Por Chah Subhaddo, one of Thailand’s most revered meditation masters.

A year later, he entered full monkhood and was given the name Jayasaro, meaning “the one who is victorious through the dhamma”, referring to the foundational teachings of Buddhism. He also took on the title Ajahn, meaning teacher or professor.

After five years as a monk, Ajahn Jayasaro spent time in a forest retreat, following the traditional “dhutanga ascetic” practices believed to cultivate the mind and body.

He later spent 16 years at Wat Pah Nanachat, or the International Forest Monastery, serving first as deputy abbot and later as abbot. The temple was established for non-Thai monks and became known for teaching Buddhism in both Thai and English.

Ajahn Jayasaro left the monastery in 2003 and moved to a monastic residence in Nakhon Ratchasima, where he focused on meditation teaching and writing books that made Buddhist teachings more accessible.

Over the past seven years, he had risen quickly through Thailand’s monastic hierarchy, receiving three promotions. He was granted Thai citizenship in 2020.

Ajahn Jayasaro was among eight monks elevated to the title of “Somdet Phra Rachakhana”, which roughly translates as “supreme ecclesiastical monk”.

The rank sat just below the supreme patriarch in Thailand’s nine-tiered monastic system and marked the first time a foreign-born monk had entered the highest levels of the country’s Buddhist establishment.

Thailand was a predominantly Buddhist country, with more than 90% of the population identifying as Buddhist. The country also followed the Buddhist calendar, making the year 2569 rather than 2026.

Monks wearing saffron or earthy brown robes were widely respected in Thai society, although recent financial, sexual and drug scandals involving some members of the clergy had led to calls for reform.

Ajahn Jayasaro continued to live alone in a forest hermitage near Khao Yai national park, where he taught meditation and practised Buddhism.