Sathou Nyai Mao Manivangso (1921-2001), Abbot of Vat Xiengthong, a chief monk of Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Luang Prabang District posing for a portrait in the main hall of Vat Xiengthong in 1990. Sathou Nyai Mao Manivangso was born on 6th of June C.E.1921 (B.E2464, C.S.1283) at Ban Khili, Luang Prabang. He was a son of Mr. Thid Phoumma and Ms. Ounheuan who had three children as: 1. Ms. Phaeng (died when 9 years old), 2. Sathou Nyai Mao Manivangso and 3. Mr. Chanh (died when 38 years old). An education: In that time, an education was limited, many children could not study, so Sathou Nyai Mao Manivangso could not also study until he was 11 years old, so he became a novice at Vat Pak Khan with Sathou Nyai Nya to study Lao and Tham-scripts, study chanting and giving sermon, he also helped his abbot with temple restoration for 7 years, when he was 18 years old he stopped being a novice to help his parents in 1940.In 1945, he was the Lao Issara soldier for the nation in Kasi District, Vientiane Province then he was the soldier in the Lao Army until 1948, he faced many difficulties in his lay person life and he knew that everything is not impermanent, so he came back home and became a monk on 6th December 1948 at Vat Sob Sikkharam, The Sangharaj Dhammayana Mahathera (Bounthan Boupharat), the Supreme Patriarch of Lao Kingdom of Vat Mai Suvannaphoumaram was his preceptor, Sathou Nyai Khamfanh Silasangvara Mahathera, Abbot of Vat Khili was his right-hand prayer, and Sathou Nyai Khamchan Virachitta Mahathera, Abbot of Vat Saen Sukharam was his left-hand prayer. After he was ordained to be a monk, he moved to be the abbot of Vat Xiengthong because there was not any monk at Vat Xiengthong, there were only Novice Peng and a few novices. During he was the abbot of Vat Xiengthong, he could chant the fundamental 227 rules of the order of monks. In B.E. 2512 (C.E.1969), he was nominated to be the chief-monk of Xienghong Group. In B.E. 2535(C.E.1992), he was nominated from the Buddhist Sangha to be the vice chief-monk of the Buddhist Sangha of Luang Prabang District. In B.E. 2538 (C.E. 1995), after Sathou Nyai Phoummy Phalappatto, Abbot of Vat Nong Sikhounmoung, the chief-monk of the Buddhist Sangha of Luang Prabang District passed away, he was nominated to be the chief-monk of the Buddhist Sangha instead of Sathou Nyai Phoummy until 2001, he was also nominated from the center Buddhist Sangha to be the vice chief-monk of the Buddhist Sangha of Luang Prabang Province. He passed away at 7:25 am on Friday 19th January 2001 (B.E. 2543) at his private Kuti at Vat Xiengthong. He was 79 years old with 7 months and 23 days, 7 hours and 25 minutes. Cremation was held on Saturday 27th January, 2001 (B.E. 2543) at the cemetery at Vat Payatheub, Luang Prabang.
Original material consists of: chromogenic print.
