Knowledge and integrity, on one journey

The summer ordination beginnings

Kuson Samakorn Wittayalai School is the first general education Buddhist scripture school of the Annam Nikaya Sangha in Thailand. Approved on 20 January 1989, it developed from summer novice ordination into an educational opportunity for young people.

In 1986, Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda and Education Minister Professor Marut Bunnag initiated a summer ordination programme for 1987 to honour King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s sixtieth birthday.

Marut assigned Somsak Saiyut, a former assistant director of Makkasan Phitthaya School and then his private secretary, to coordinate with Theravada and Mahayana temples, including Wat Khanikaphon, Wat Pathum Khongkha, Wat Chana Songkhram and Wat Kuson Samakorn.

Wat Kuson Samakorn was the first Annam Nikaya temple to participate. Somsak coordinated with พระโกสินทร์ เลืองซัน, secretary to the head of the Annam Nikaya Sangha, and presented the proposal to the temple’s abbot and Sangha leader, พระครูบริหารอนัมพรต (เจริญ กิ๊นเจี๊ยว). The abbot became the monastic patron and Marut the lay chair.

The first programme ran from 6 April to 6 May 1987. It planned to ordain 61 novices, received 84 applications and was supported by Marut with 61,000 baht. Its success led to the programme continuing.

From a commitment to founding the school

Following the second summer ordination in 1988, the founder considered the future of disadvantaged young people, whether they continued in monastic life or returned to lay life.

He proposed education combining Buddhist and general knowledge, helping young people build their futures while preserving the Annam Nikaya tradition.

Somsak consulted Marut, who recommended coordination with Captain Adul Rattanan, Director-General of the Department of Religious Affairs, to establish a school at Wat Kuson Samakorn.

A founding committee brought together monastic and lay members. The founder chaired the committee, Marut served as patron and adviser, and Somsak served as secretary.

The establishment proposal was submitted on 24 November 1988. The Department of Religious Affairs initially questioned the use of “Wittayalai” in the school’s name and proposed a conventional Buddhist scripture school name.

องปลัดถนอม เถี่ยนถึก (อารีย์กุลชัย), of Wat Sunthon Pradit in Udon Thani, coordinated the matter and pointed to secondary schools such as Suankularb and Traimit that also used “Wittayalai”.

Approval was granted on 20 January 1989 under the name Kuson Samakorn Wittayalai School. The school observes 20 January as its founding anniversary.

Developing the school and students’ futures

The school first used a four-storey reinforced concrete building. A seven-storey building was later constructed at a cost of 25 million baht, providing classrooms, accommodation for novice students and offices.

Lower and upper secondary education combine general subjects with Buddhist studies, preparing students for further education, life and service to Buddhism.

Alumni have continued their education in Thailand and overseas, including at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Mahamakut Buddhist University and Mahidol University. Some remain ordained and serve the Annam Nikaya Sangha.

Support from the Sangha and educators

The founder, พระมหาคณานัมธรรมปัญญาธิวัตร (เจริญ กิ๊นเจี๊ยว), affectionately known as Luang Pu, invited monks from the Annam Nikaya Sangha, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and other temples to support teaching.

Supporting temples included Wat Khanikaphon, Wat Pathum Khongkha, Wat Traimit Wittayaram, Wat Chana Songkhram, Wat Chakkrawat Ratchawat and Wat Prayurawongsawat.

Teachers from Traimit Wittayalai, Wat Khanikaphon, Wat Ratchabophit, Rit Narong Ron, Assumption and the Pali Preparatory School of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University assisted with teaching and school administration.