Temple boys are traditionally no younger than eight and do minor housework. THAILAND 2020 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [117] Although prosecutors did not charge Somdet,[136] the incident postponed his appointment and led to a change in the law that allowed the Thai government to bypass the Sangha Supreme Council and appoint the supreme patriarch directly. [58], Rama II established a new modern ecclesiastical education system for studying Theravada doctrine and the Pali language. [citation needed], Rising obesity among monks[154] and concerns for their well-being have become issues in Thailand. A small number of women choose to become maechi, non-ordained religious specialists who permanently observe either the Eight or Ten Precepts. Though Ayudhya's main religion remained as Theravada Buddhism throughout its history, many elements of the political and social system were incorporated from Hindu traditions and numerous rites were conducted by Brahmins. [81], A new national system of written exams for monks was introduced in 1911, known as the Mahamakut system to raise the standards of doctrinal learning. [91], Beginning in 1949, there was a major dispute in the Thai sangha between the Mahanikaya and Dhammayutika orders. It was attended by over 250 monks. One of these is The Legend of Phra Malai (Thai: ), a Buddhist epic composed by Prince Thammathibet in 1737. The king also enlarged Wat Chedi Luang to house the Emerald Buddha. [59] Rama II also sent various missions to Sri Lanka to spread the teaching, since he feared that, under British rule, it would begin to decline there.[56]. At the age of 20, they become eligible to receive upasampada, the higher ordination that establishes them as full bhikkhus. [26] Thai travelers to Sri Lanka also brought back the root of a Bodhi tree, under which the Buddha attained emlightenment, which began the Thai tradition of venerating Bodhi trees. Research method 4. It was built around the 11th-12 century CE. Modern urban Thais may well seem [143][144] To the surprise of many officials, one of the monks arrested was Phra Buddha Issara. Some of the most influential ones are Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Shanti Asoke. [106] Wat Phra Dhammakaya is a new Buddhist sect which developed out of the Dhammakaya tradition. They are thus needed to carefully conduct themselves in a peaceful and blameless manner, for their own sake and for the sake of their community. In parallel to these developments, a group of monks began to organize in an effort to democratize the sangha administration. [111] Thai lay persons may also go to a temple or practice Buddhism during the four monthly holy days (wan phra, Pali: Uposatha). [52][69], The act divided the religious administration of the kingdom into four main divisions: north, south, center, and Dhammayutika Nikaya (with further subdivisions). The Sangha Supreme Council also declared the same prohibition, pursuant to its Order dated 17 March 1995. Furthermore, the king decreed that every monk had to carry a document of identification. [178], In March 2016, Thai police formally summoned then Acting Supreme Patriarch Somdet Chuang Varapunno, after he refused to answer direct questions about his vintage car, one of only 65 made. After this period of one to three years, most young monks return to secular life, going on to marry and start a family or going on to higher education or the military. [56] Rama I also issued several royal decrees which governed the conduct of monastics. (PDF) Buddhist Majoritarian Nationalism in Thailand: Ideological Buddhism Web73. While Western observers (as well as Western-educated Thais) have often drawn a clear line between Thai Buddhism and folk religious practices, this distinction is rarely observed in more rural locales. Buddhism-Online Its past and present. The most important aspect of this meditation is the focus on the center of the body, which leads to the attainment of the Dhammakya, the Dhamma-body, found within every human being. The sangharaja served for life. Pa-Kaeo) sect, was formed by a group of Thai monks who had ordained in Sri Lanka. This article examines the narratives that underpin the activism of Buddhist nationalist movements in Thailand. [85], During the early 20th century, a new Thai Buddhist tradition was beginning to take in northern Thailand (mainly Isan), outside of the elite and royal circles of Bangkok. [40][42] A major literary work of this era is the Mahachat Kham Luang (Thai: ), an epic poem of the "Great Birth" of Vessantara Bodhisattva, which combined Pali verse with Thai poetry. Introduction 2. [94], From 1966 to 1970, monastic graduates from these universities were sent to the provinces to improve education in rural areas. [64][65][66] Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in Bangkok became the administrative center of the Thammayut order and the center of Pali studies in Thailand. Web124 Buddhist Politics and Their Revolutionary Origins in Thailand The Buddhist reformation in Thailand has its roots in a political crisis which occurred at the end of the 18th century. A survey conducted in 1900 reported 7,206 monasteries in Thailand (with only 117 royal monasteries). [191] Unlike similar efforts in Sri Lanka, these efforts have been extremely controversial in Thailand. Buddhism in Thailand Shanti Asoke (meaning "Peaceful Asoka") is a movement which focuses on simplicity and self-sufficiency. Selecting him would mean a Supreme Patriarch from the Maha Nikaya fraternity, rather than the Dhammayuttika fraternity, which historically has always been the preferred choice of the Thai government and the monarchy. [163] After four years, when the country changed its government, Phra Phimontham was released from prison when a military court decided he had not collaborated with communists after all. The Thai capital was destroyed in 1767, leading to the loss of numerous historical records, literary and religious texts and marking the fall of the Ayudhya kingdom proper. [111] Entering the monkhood for a short period of time is also a common practice for Thai boys as it prepares them for adulthood and generates merit.[112]. "[153], Monks who do not return to secular life typically specialize in either scholarship or meditation. [92], The struggle for power continued for years, and led a disgruntled Sarit Thanarat (a general who seized power in a 1957 coup d'tat), to pass another Sangha Act in 1962. Weragoda Sarada. He encouraged the arts and literature, as well as building numerous monasteries in Ayudhya. [155], The Thai media often reports on Buddhist monks behaving in ways that are considered inappropriate. As such, the sangha's role was expanded into more secular realms, and this was welcomed by many monks who saw this as a way for the sangha to remain relevant in the modern age. [33] He is known for building several monasteries for the new Buddhist order, including Wat Chet Yot and Wat Pa Daeng. Literature review 3. Those who could not pass were released from their monastic vows and returned to lay life. Every abbot was required to prepare a register of the monks and novices under them. There was also long-standing resentment on the part of Mahanikaya monks, since even though their sect constituted the overwhelming majority of monastics, the Dhammayutika monks controlled most of the high ecclesiastical offices. [198] It was founded by her mother, Voramai, a Mahayana bhikkhuni, in the 1960s. Boys now typically ordain as smaera or novitiate monks (Thai: samanen, often shortened to nen Thai: ). [55] A new edition of the Pali Canon was published, the Tipitaka Chabab Tongyai. The Illustrated Dhammapada Ven. This retreat is expected of all Thai males, rich or poor, and often is scheduled after high school. The Thai hierarchy refuses to recognize ordinations in the Dharmaguptaka tradition (the only currently existing bhikkhuni ordination lineage) as valid Theravada ordinations, citing differences in philosophical teachings and, more critically, monastic discipline. [69] The Sangha Act also required monks be assigned to a monastery (vagrant monks not belonging to a monastery were arrested) and to carry identification documents when traveling away from their monastery. [70], The act recognized three types of monasteries: royal, common, and monastic residences (which lack a sima, a consecrated border). In 1962, during the Cold War, he was accused of collaboration with communist rebels and being a threat to national security, and was fully defrocked and jailed. However, studies by the anthropologist Charles F. Keyes argued that these efforts mostly transmitted fragments of overt behavior, such as how to give alms to monks, without teaching proper Buddhist doctrine. [2][1][3] Thailand has the second largest Buddhist population in the world, after China,[4] with approximately 64 million Buddhists. WebBuddhism is believed to have come to what is now Thailand as early as the 3rd century BCE, [7] in the time of the Indian Emperor Ashoka. [28], Later Sukhothai kings would continue this policy of supporting Lankavong Theravda, and numerous monasteries, Buddha images and stupas were built during the Sukhothai period. This wat became the headquarters of the Sri Lankan forest sect. This paper probes Modern Buddhism in Thai society. For instance, the 2007 constitution of Thailand disfranchises "a Buddhist monk, a Buddhist novice, a priest or a clergy member" (Thai: " ").[121]. [13], Later finds at Nakon Pathom and nearby cities also include Buddha images in the Gupta style. WebPart I. Thai Buddhism: The Overall Picture 1 1: Introduction 3 The Buddha 4 The Basic Teachings of Buddhism 7 2: Thai Buddhism 13 Buddhism in Present-Day Thailand 14 [105], From the 1970s onwards, there has been several new Buddhist movements in Thailand who are outside of the traditional Thai monastic orders. [74], During the reign of king Rama VI (19101925), the king introduced the official use of the Buddhist Era dating system. Due to his extensive scholarly achievements, Prince Wachirayan has been called "the leading intellectual of his generation in Siam" by historian David K. [89], These pressures led to the Sangha Act of 1941, which introduced democratic elements into the sangha's administration. There have been efforts to attempt to introduce a bhikkhuni lineage in Thailand as a step towards improving the position of women in Thai Buddhism. [44] The Thai monks helped found the Siam Nikaya, which remains one of the main monastic orders in Sri Lanka to this day.[45]. While Mahayana Buddhism was gradually eclipsed in Thailand, certain features of Thai Buddhismsuch as the appearance of the bodhisattva Lokevara in some Thai religious architecture, and the belief that the king of Thailand is a bodhisattva himselfreveal the influence of Mahayana concepts. Buddhist Tales for Young and Old, Volume 1, Prince Goodspeaker. [31], Further north, in the Thai Lan Na Kingdom (c. 12921775), Theravda also flourished. (PDF) Modern Buddhism, Education, and the State in Thailand and During the late 17th century, French visitors described a state examination system under King Narai that was administered to Buddhist monks to test their knowledge in the Pali language and in Buddhist doctrine. [184] In February 2016, in a protest organized by the National Centre for the Protection of Thai Buddhism, a Red Shirt-oriented network, the example of Phra Phimontham was also cited as demands were made for the Thai government to no longer involve itself with the selection of the next leader of the Sangha.[162][185]. Furthermore, the state reserved the right to defrock monks who were not following the monastic rules. When you go and pray you get 300 baht [about 7] even though you have no living expenses, and you can go four times a day. According to the 2000 census, 94 percent of the population is Buddhist and 5 percent is Muslim. [119], No law directly prohibits a member of any Buddhist institution, such as a monk, a novice and a nun, from being a candidate in an examination for recruitment of government officers. [9] The spread of Buddhism in Southeast Asia may have arrived with merchant ships traveling the key maritime trade routes with India. [132][137] This allowed the ruling junta to effectively handpick Thailand's supreme patriarch. [73] Rama V also promoted the publishing of the Pali Canon in Thai Script for the first time (c. [137][138][139] In 2017, Somdet Chuang's appointment was withdrawn, with a monk from the Dhammayuttika Nikaya appointed instead. Most young men traditionally ordain for the term of a single vassa or rainy season (Thai phansa), three months or so. Thai Buddhism also shares many similarities with Sri Lankan Buddhism. Novices technically do not eat with the monks in their temple, but this typically only amounts to a gap in seating, rather than the separation observed between monks and the laity. [97][98][99], Ajahn Chah's tradition was particularly influential in the dissemination of Thai Buddhist monasticism to the western world. The main proponent of this movement has been Dhammananda Bhikkhuni. All these elders together formed the Sangha Council of Elders (Pali: Mahthera Samgama), the highest body of the Thai Sangha. A major practice among lay persons is donating to the sangha, a practice that generates merit (tham bun), which is a beneficial and protective force that leads to good results in this life and in lives to come. The style was comparable with those styles of Khmer sculptures and architecture in Cambodia, therefore, the 'Ancient Khmer Style of Thailand' is used as an alternative term for Lopburi Style. After seizing power, the military junta, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), set up the National Reform Council with a religious committee led by former Thai senator Paiboon Nititawan and former monk Mano Laohavanich. The appointment was made by King Rama X, who chose the name from five given to him by NCPO leader Prayut Chan-o-cha. He also ordained as monk for eight months at Wat Chulamani. WebBuddhism in Thailand: Its Past IFFERENT opinions exist about when, exactly, Buddhism reached that part of the world now officially known as Thailand. 77. Novices often are in closer contact with their families, spending more time in the homes of their parents than monks. [127][128] In 2015, the junta's National Reform Council made several proposals to give the state greater control of Buddhism, including requiring temples to open their finances to the public, ending short-term ordinations, requiring monks to carry smart cards to identify their legal and religious backgrounds, increasing control of temples bank accounts, increasing control of monastic disciplinarians, changing the abbots of all temples every five years, putting the Ministry of Culture in charge of controlling all temple assets, controlling monastic education, and taxing monks. WebBox 11 - A bridge between Buddhist nationalisms in Thailand and in Myanmar. Phra Phimontham had strong pro-democratic leanings, which did not comport well with the regime of the day nor the palace. "'I Will Never Be Disrobed' says Thai abbot of Dhammakaya Temple", and "Between Faith and Fund-Raising", Yasmin Lee Arpon (2002) Scandals Threaten Thai Monks' Future, Julian Gearing (1999) Buddhist Scapegoat? Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen Appointment as Sangharaja stalled, Criticism of Buddhism Women in Buddhism, Bhikkhun Concerns about lineage and legitimacy, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, "Population by religion, region and area, 2015", "The World Factbook Central Intelligence Agency", Buddhism in Thailand Its Past and Its Present, "Thailand's Santi Asoke Flourishes by Promoting Simplicity", "Ministry of Foreign Affairs required documents", "Thai Buddhists call for top status 'unnecessary', "Gulf Times- Qatar's top-selling English daily newspaper - Homepage", "Drafters reject Buddhism as State Religion", "Buddhist groups, monks halt campaigns against draft charter", "Section 100 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, Buddhist Era 2550 (2007)", "Thai Buddhist monk wants to clean up his country's religious institutions", "Controverse autour du temple bouddhique Dhammakaya: un bras de fer religieux et politique", "Tense times for Thai junta, Buddhist clergy", "Can Thailand tolerate more than one form of Buddhism? [citation needed], In addition to the ecclesiastical leadership of the sangha, a secular government ministry supervises Buddhist temples and monks. : One Thai abbot is taken to task, but the whole system is to blame, Southern Esoteric Buddhism, also known as Born kammahna ('ancient practices'). [145][146][147] Police did not state why he was then being arrested for charges filed as far back as four years. [60] Mongkut had also spent his early monastic years at Wat Samorai, a forest monastery renowned for meditation and spiritual practices. From a historical perspective, Thai Buddhism is a hybridization of animism , Theravada Buddhism , and Brahmanism . [79] He also established Dhammacaku, the first Buddhist journal in Siam. What is the best way to deal with stress? [93], Sarit Thanarat also saw the sangha as a way to promote national development. [12] It has been suggested that the original structure of the ancient Phra Pathom Stupa (which has been covered by restorations and a spire that was added later) was of similar design to the Stupa of Sanchi. Varanggana Vanavichayen became the first female monk to be ordained in Thailand in 2002. Unlike in Burma and Sri Lanka, the bhikkhuni lineage of women monastics was never established in Thailand. WebThe Relocalization of Buddhism in Thailand Michael Parnwell Martin Seeger This paper probes beneath the surface of the revitalized religiosity and thriving civic Buddhism that is identifiable in parts of Thailands rural periphery today as Buddhism in Thailand - Thai Healing Alliance In fact, Thailand is so connected to the religion its often referred to as The Land of Buddhism and many people travel here from all over the world to study its teachings. This indicates that the monkhood and noviceship are not appropriate for politics in any respect. numerous wars between Thailand and Burma. His reign saw great achievements in Pali literature, as attested by works like the Jinakalamali (a historical chronicle, c. 1517), and the great commentary, Mangalatthadipani. [164]:139[170][171] Widespread negative media coverage at this time was symptomatic of the temple being made the scapegoat for commercial malpractice in the Thai Buddhist community[172][173] in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. "Buddhism as Universal Religion and as Civic Religion: Some Observations on a Recent Tour of Buddhist Centers in Central Thailand." For Buddhist education, there are two Buddhist universities providing higher education for monks, Religious Demography The country has an area of 198,000 square miles and a population of 67 million. As such, a broad slew of meditation methods and teachings developed during the second half of the 20th century. [22][23], During the 13th century, Thai monks traveled to Sri Lanka to ordain in the Sinhalese Mahavihara Theravada sect (known as Lankavamsa/Lankavong in Thailand) lineage and to study the teachings. [73][78] The examinations were divided into two levels, ordinary (which focused on doctrine, not Pali) and advanced (including knowledge of Pali). reformation of Thai Buddhism wit h the establishment of a ne w group of monks under the label of Dhamma yut became a juicy debate among scholars. It remains an influential textbook in Thai Buddhist doctrinal studies today. [36], During the 14th century, Thai power shifted south with the founding of the Kingdom of Ayudhya by King Uthong (r. 13511369). King Pha Yu (r. 13451367), continued promoting Buddhism. [88], After the Siamese revolution of 1932, there was a creation of a constitutional state. [104] This led to the widespread celebration of the teachings of the forest tradition as well which had previously been an insignificant part of the Buddhist order in Thailand. In some cases, monks may learn the English language and continue on to a major monastic university in Bangkok. Luang Por Pothirak was eventually charged of altering the Vinaya and defrocked. [27], Under the reign of Ram Khamhaeng, the position of sangharaja (leader of the monastic community) was created and tasked with the administration of the sangha, the orders of monks and nuns. A period as a monk is a prerequisite for many positions of leadership within the village hierarchy. Buddhism, democracy and identity in Thailand - ResearchGate The Mahvasa, a historical chronicle of Sri Lanka, mentions that during the reign of Ashoka (c.268 to 232 BCE), monks were sent to spread Buddhism to Suvannabhumi, which is somewhere in Southeast Asia. A Study of Chinese Lay Buddhist Societies in Thailand: History This course is an attempt to outline a systematic understanding of Buddhisms manifold relations with local cults in various parts of Asia, beginning with patterns established in ancient India, Buddhist Buddhism in Thailand - Access to Insight [150][note 1], Anthropologist Jim Taylor argues that the arrests were the "ruling palace regime" trying to consolidate royalist power by eliminating non-royalist high-ranking monks. In Religion The scholarship route is also followed by monks who desire to rise in the ecclesiastic hierarchy, as promotions within the government-run system are contingent on passing examinations in Pli and Dhamma studies. While criticized for being too concerned and involved with worldly issues, Buddhist social activists cite duty to the community as justification for participation in, This page was last edited on 3 June 2023, at 11:59. Buddhist Politics and Their Revolutionary Origins in Thailand [109] Some of these extremist nationalist monks, like Phra Apichart Punnajanto (who called for the burning down of mosquesa prjika offence), have been forced to leave the monastic order.[110]. [41] During his reign, the Vanaratnavong group also grew in prominence. This esoteric Theravada tradition remained a mainstream Buddhist tradition in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand well into the modern era. Buddhism in [113][114], The ancient capital, Sukhothai, which means "Dawn of Happiness" was founded in the 13th century and considered to be the first independent Thai kingdom and the prominent era in Thai history. An inscription from northern Thailand with esoteric elements has been dated to the Sukhothai Kingdom of the 16th century. WebPart One: Buddhism In The Kingdom Of Thailand Chapter On e Buddhism In India After The Masters Demise 4 Chapter Two Buddhism In Ancient Thailand 13 Chapter Three [66][68], The administrative and sangha reforms that Mongkut started were continued by his successor, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 18681910) who made the new sangha hierarchy formal and permanent through the Sangha Law of 1902, which remains the foundation of Sangha administration throughout the history of modern Thailand (though the law has been amended numerous times). [159] Critics charge that the ban on female ordination is about patriarchy and power. There were also further efforts to centralize the Thai sangha from the capital at this time. Wats (Temples) and Monks. They not only share the same religious language (Pli) and same scriptural canon (the Pli Canon), but they also share many practices. [7][24], King Ram Khamhaeng (fl. (431 KB) Buddhism in Thailand Karuna Kusalasaya. In the past uniform Buddhism was possible because of state and central sangha con-trol. The car was part of a museum kept at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen in Bangkok, but has now been seized by police investigating possible tax evasion. Buddhism and Politics in Thailand - Buddhism and nationalism Seeking to represent the people in the House of Representatives is purely the business of the State and specifically the duty of the laity according to the laws. It is considered the eighth Buddhist council in the Thai tradition. It's a practice of meditation that may have been influenced by the esoteric Yogavacara tradition. In Thailand, as in other Theravada Buddhist kingdoms, the king was in principle thought of as a patron and protector of the religion (sasana) and the sangha, while sasana ( teaching, practice, discipline and doctrine) and the Sangha were considered in turn the treasures of the polity and the signs of its legitimacy. WebSNYl8jmfK]ehd]g^l`];Yof9Yf_cgc K`YadYf\ SNYl9]f[`YeY9ghaljDYjZd]K]ehd]9Yf_cgc K`YadYf\ SEYcgjfGYl`ge The third Chakri monarch, Rama III (reigned 18241851), was also a devout Buddhist. Webinsulting Buddhism and Buddhist clergy is specifically prohibited by law. This back-to-the-forest movement of strict monasticism became known as the Kammahna Forest Tradition. In the 1990s, Members of the Forestry Bureau deeded tracts of land to forest monasteries in an effort to preserve wilderness. One of their main forms of protecting their environment has been to "ordain" trees by wrapping a monk's robe around the tree.
