On 5 June 2026, at Ratchamongkol Meeting Hall of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi in Pathum Thani province, the Association of Buddhist Benefactors in Thailand collaborated with 9 Buddhist organizations to present “the Ashoka Pillar Award for Moral Leaders” in order to honor monastic and lay awardees for their sacrifice and dedication to driving the spread of morality as the global role models for Buddhists throughout the world.
For the award presentation, Most Venerable Somdet Phraputthajarn (committee member of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand and abbot of Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan) was the monastic chairman for the committee of organizing this award presentation. Most Venerable Phrapromwachirathibodi (abbot of Wat Mahathatu Yuwaraj Rangsarit) and President of Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University Council were the committee of monastic candidate screening while Gen. Thongchai Kua-Sakul (chairman of the Association of Buddhist Benefactors in Thailand) and President of the Council of “Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi” were the committee of lay candidate screening.
In this event, Most Venerable Somdet Phratheerayanmuni (committee member of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand and abbot of Wat Depsirindrawas Ratchaworawihan) was the monastic chairman and Gen. Chawalit Pukphasuk (privy councilor) was the laypeople chairman. In 2026, the committee of screening qualified candidates and organizations within Thailand and from abroad selected 186 awardees with the outstanding contribution to Buddhism, society and the country, for example Most Venerable Phrapromvachirarangsi (abbot of Wat Bavornnives Viharn), Most Venerable Phrathepwachiradhamsophon (Luang Poo Sila), Gen. Boonsin Padklang, Mr. Boonchai Chokwattana, Mr.Methanee Buranasiri etc.
Venerable Phrapanyagara was the awardee from the project “Walk for Peace”. He, together with 13 monks, was well known on social media platforms for his pilgrimage of 3,700 kilometers across the USA within 3 months. He strictly followed the monastic routine with the simple living and almsgiving from laypeople to campaign for the inner peace and the global peace.
Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department and assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, was one of the awardees. He has dedicated himself to propagating Buddhism continuously by integrating new technology and modern communication tools in order to make the Buddha’s teachings and the inner peace methods more accessible to the youth to ensure equal opportunity for all.
“The Ashoka Pillar Award for Moral Leaders, he received, is the achievement of all Wat Phra Dhammakaya supporters and the result of continuous good deeds. It is like the powerful encouragement to drive the spread of morality to the public. All these virtues are made possible by the unity of Wat Phra Dhammakaya community, under the leadership of Luang Por Dhammajayo (the leader in pursuing perfections) and Venerable Phrakrupaladrattanaveerawat (abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya), volunteers and all temple supporters. The proactive strategy of Buddhism propagation under the network of Wat Phra Dhammakaya remains firm on vigorously working for Buddhism, aims for the prosperity of Buddhism by inspiring people to walk in the path of merit, promotes outer peace through inner peace and prolongs the lifespan of Buddhism. Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and rejoice in the merit of the entire committee, especially General Thongchai Kua-Sakul for granting this honorable award to me,” said Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong.
