Somdet Phra Sanghavouttha Mahatherajan (Keo Outhiensakda, 1889-1953), Former Sanghanayaka (Eccl. Prime Minister) of Vat Sisaket, Vientiane. Photograph probably taken in the early of 1950s. He was born on 10th April, 1889 at Ban Phia Vat, Vientiane. He was a son of Mr. Kone and Mrs. Phua Outhiensakda who had 7 children. He was ordained as a novice at the age of 12, at Vat Ong Tue, Vientiane and he had studied at this monastery for 7 years. Then he moved to study with Phra Ajan Tien of Vat Phia Vat in 1908. He was ordained as a monk at the age of 21, at Vat Sisaket on 10th May, 1910. After he was ordained, he moved to stay at Vat Phia Vat. In 1917, he suggested lay people to build Vat Nong Nieng and he had passed Buddhist retreat at there for 3 years then he moved to study Mulakatchay (root-regulation) with Phra Khou Sien of Vat Ban Xam Khe, Vientiane province for 3 years. He was watered and nominated to be Somdet on 15th May, 1923 then he came back to pass Buddhist retreat at Vat Phia Vat and studied Palivaiyakara (grammar of Pali) and Dhammapada (way of truth) translation with Maha Keo at School of Pali at Vat Chan. He was watered and nominated to be Phra Xa on 15th May, 1924. He was watered and nominated to be Phra Khou in 1925. He had been an assistance teacher for Maha Keo at School of Pali at Vat Chan in 1926. He was nominated to be Phra Oupatcha on his 13th year of being a monk on 15th November, 1926. He was watered and nominated to be Phra Lak Kham and chief monk of Eccl. Aministration of Vientiane Province on 11th May, 1927, but he still stayed at Vat Sisaket. He was corporate with Phra Phetsarajphakhinaya to build Buddhist Library at Vat Chan on 18th February, 1931. He had been to inspect Buddhism in Houay Xay District and participated Khot Sim (The main hall' s boundary-marking and stone-setting) ceremony and established monk's school at Vat Houay Xay, Borkeo Province on 1st July, 1932 then he paid a pilgrimage to visit Buddhism in Meuang Sing District in Luang Namtha, then to Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, Chiang Kham, Lumpang, Chiang Mai and Chiang Tung in Thailand. He was received 2nd grade of medal from King Sisavang Vong on 26th August, 1933. He built a main hall, a Kuti and a dinning hall at Vat Nong Nieng on 5th January, 1934. He was received 5th grade of Issariyaphone medal from the King of Khmer on 5th March, 1935. He was received Officer grade of Lane Xang Hom Khao medal from King Sisavang Vong on 30th May, 1938. He was received 2nd grade of silver medal from France on 10th May, 1947. He was received 3rd grade of Royal Crown medal (Couronne) from King Narodom Sihanouvoraman of Khmer on 24th February, 1949. He was received a medal of Officer d'academie from France on 20th December, 1949, and he was nominated to be Chief-monk of Central and Sanghanayaka (Eccl. Prime Minister) in Laos in 1953. On 4th May, 1953, he had problem with his liver disease until 19th June, 1953 (B.E. 2496), he passed away at 18:20 at Vat Sisaket, Vientiane, at the age of 64 and 44 years for being a monk. Cremation was held on 28th June, 1953, at That Luang's field, Vientiane.
Original material consists of: silver gelatine DOP print.
