Transcript Buddhism in Thailand

Some scholars believe that Buddhism
reached Thailand during the reign of
Asoka.
Who was Asoka?
An Indian emperor who sent Buddhist
missioners all over the world.
Some scholars believe Buddhism
came to Thailand much later.
Everyone agrees that Buddhism reached during the time of Mon-Khmer.
During that time the capital was Dvaravati.
Which is Nakon Pathom today.
What is the famous pagoda there? Phra-Pathom Chedi.
What kind of Buddhism is Theravada?
It is Southern Buddhism.
Theravada was the first form
of Buddhism in Thailand
and it came to Thailand 300
years B.C.
Evidence found in Nakon
Pathom of Buddha pictures
proved that Buddhism came
from Magadha (India).
Scholars believe that the
territory during the 3rd
century B.C. was called
Suvarnabhumi (the Land of
Gold).
Scholars can’t agree on the
exact location of
Suvarnabhumi, but it was
either in current Thailand,
Myanmar, Laos or
Cambodia.
What kind of Buddhism is Mahayana?
It is Northern Buddhism.
Mahayana Buddhism spread to
Southeast Asia after the reign
of King Kanishka in northern
India. (About 400 A.D.)
Mahayana Buddhism first
reached Sumatra. And then
from Sumatra it spread to
Java, Cambodia and Southern
Thailand. (About 800 A.D)
There was a strong influence
of Mahayana Buddhism in
Lopburi coming from
Cambodia about 1100 A.D.
What kind of Buddhism was
propagated during Burma
Buddhism?
Theravada Buddhism.
Who was the powerful king in
Burma during that time?
King Anawrahta. (Year 1057)
What was the capital of Burma
that time?
Pagan.
The influence of Buddhism from
Burma was present in Northern
and central Thailand.
In the south the influence of
Mahayana Buddhism was still
strong.
What was the name of the
kingdom in Northern Thailand
that time?
Sukhothai. (Year 1257)
What kind of Buddhism was supported during that time? Theravada Buddhism.
Where was this support coming from?
From Ceylon (present Sri Lanka).
Who consolidated Buddhism in Ceylon?
King Parakramabahu.
Monks from different regions: Burma, Kampuja, Lanna (Northern
Thailand), Lanchang (Laos) went to Ceylon to learn about the pure form
of Dharma. (Around 1200 A.D.)
What is Dharma?
It is the truth, the
teaching of Buddha
explaining how the
universe and karma
work.
Who supported Buddhism in Thailand during Ceylon era?
King Ram Kamhaeng, and by 1277
Ceylon Buddhism was widely
practiced in Thailand.
What form of Buddhism is
practiced today in Thailand?
Theravada Buddhism.
How many people are Buddhists in Thailand?
Almost 94% of all Thai population.
According to Thai constitution Thai kings must be Buddhists
and the Upholder of Buddhism.
Thailand is also called:
The Land of Yellow Robes.
The Bikkhu Sangha in Thailand is of
Therevada (Southern) school and it
follows the doctrine (Dhamma-Vinaya),
same as in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos
and Myanmar.
How many temples are there in Thailand?
About 40,000 temples!
Who maintains
temples in Thailand?
Money are granted by
the government and
also people’s
contributions are
significant.
There are 2 Nikayas
(Buddhist sects) in
Thailand:
• Maha Nikaya
• Dhammayut Nikaya
Which one is bigger?
Maha Nikaya
(the ratio of monks is 35 to 1!)
Who was the founder of Dhammayut Nikaya?
King Mongkut 1833.
What is the difference
between Maha Nikaya
and Dhammayut
Nikaya?
Not a big difference,
just the difference in
manners of putting on
the yellow robes.
What is “Sangharaja”?
The Supreme Patriarch.
Who was the last Sangharaja
of Thailand?
Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara.
(1989-2013)
Sangharaja is entitled to
appoint “Sangha Nayaka”
which leads the council of
Ecclesiestical ministers.