Phuthachan ( Thai: พุฒาจารย์, Buḍhācārya, lit. 'Senior Master'), formerly Phutthachan ( Thai: พุทธาจารย์, Buddhācārya, lit. 'Awakened Master'), is an ecclesiastical title given to senior members of the Thai sangha, the community of Buddhist monks in Thailand. [1]
In the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the title Buddhācārya was preserved for Buddhist monks who were patriarchs of the sect of araṇyavāsī ( Thai: อรัญวาสี; RTGS: aranyawasi; lit. 'forest dwellers'). [1]
In 2394 BE (1851/52 CE), the title Buddhācārya was modified to Buḍhācārya by King Rama IV, who gave it to Son ( Thai: สน), the abbot of Wat Saket. [2]
Holders of this title include: