Leaders attend Venerable Pramaha Vichit Singharaj’s cremation

(KPL) President Choummaly Sayasone, along with other Party and State leaders, monks from Vietnam, Japan, Thailand and Laos, and members of the public paid their last respects to the late Venerable Pramaha Vichit Singharaj, former President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation at his cremation on Saturday.

Reading a moving eulogy, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad praised the late Venerable Pramaha Vichit Singharaj for his devotion to the nation, his works and his overall involvement in national development.

Venerable Phramaha Vichit passed away at 3pm on June 16 at That Luang Neua temple in Vientiane at the age of 85.

The Venerable Phramaha Vichit had been a monk for the past 65 years and was also Vice President of the Asian Buddhist Association of Peace.

Dr Vichit was born on August 5, 1925 in Outhommai village, Soukhouma district in Champassak province. He was the son of Mr Charnthiem and Ms Momkonkham.

When he was just 4 years old Phramaha Vichit’s mother passed away and his father, who was a road construction manager, had to take the young boy with him wherever he went.

Phramaha Vichit later settled at Phapheo temple where the novice had the chance to learn the Lao language, and Buddhist teachings and chants.

At the age of 13, the young novice stayed in Pakxe district. At that time his father wanted him to study at the highest level possible and decided to send him to stay at Thahin temple.

The novice later moved to Nakhonerasasima and studied at the lower secondary school at Salayarn temple for 4 years. He then decided to go to Bangkok to study at upper secondary school for three years.

After he graduated, the young novice went to see the venerable Dome, who was a well-known monk in Thailand. Venerable Dom taught him how to express gratitude to his parents and suggested he become a monk at Takhou temple in Nakongrasasima province.

Phramaha Vichit later enrolled in a bachelor of Buddhism degree. He continued to study at the master’s and doctorate level, and later taught for more than 2 years.

In 1949, he met with Prince Phetsarat who invited him to return to Laos. At that time, he was assigned by Phetsarat to write letters to important people and monks in Laos.

In 1957, he returned to Laos and stayed at That Foun temple.

Dr Vichit helped to establish the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation at That Foun temple in 1958, and was selected as secretary of the organisation.

Also in 1958, Prince Phetsarat provided a scholarship for Dr Vichit to study in India. But after Phetsarat passed awayt, the situation in Laos changed and he decided to return.

He arrived to a country in turmoil.

He and his follow monks decided to renounce the monkhood and join the army in the fight for freedom. However Dr Vichit was convinced by government leaders to stay in the monkhood and lead other monks around the country.

In 1975 Laos became independent and many monks returned to Vientiane.

In 1976, Dr Vitchit was appointed to be in charge of the Buddhist monkhood in Savannakhet, Attapeu, and Champpassak provinces. In the same year, he was appointed as director of the Monk School at Onteu temple in Vientiane.

The ordinary session of the Buddhist Fellowship Organisation Meeting agreed to appoint Dr Vichit as general secretary of organisation in 1978.

During yesterday’s funeral ceremony, people contributed food and drink for people attending the event.

Members of the public can attend the funeral until July 20 when a final alms giving ceremony will take place at the temple.

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