1. Influences of Buddhism

This chapter focuses on the influences of Buddhism and roles of Thai Sangha in Thai society. It also presents the impact of Thai Buddhism, mainly Thai Sangha in terms of Sangha education in the real world. We discuss the general picture of Thai Buddhism, which is considered as "Traditional Buddhism," its problems, conflicts, administration, development and education. The impact of traditional system of education that has been influenced by Buddhism is taken into account with the Thai Sangha body.

The impact of Buddhism on Thai Sangha^[1] Buddhism in present-day Thailand. Looking back on our history, we see clearly the close relationship between Buddhism and the Thai nation. The history of the Thai nation is also the history of Buddhism. The Thai nation^[2] originated once 2,000 years ago^[3]. Also in that same period, Buddhism came and has played and important part in Thai history ever since. The Thai nation settled firmly in present-day Thailand 700 years ago^[4]. Also seven centuries ago it adopted the present form of Buddhism. Buddhism is still the state religion of Thailand. Under the Constitution, the king, as a symbol of the nation, although protector of all religions, must be a Buddhist. According to the latest census, the total population of Thailand is over 67 million. Out of this number, approximately 93.4 % is Buddhists. Buddhism has had a deep influence in Thai arts, traditions, learning, and the character of the Thai people. It has modeled their manner of thinking and acting. In short, it has become and integral part of Thai life. The charm that has earned Thailand the reputation as the “Land of Smiles” undoubtedly comes from the influence of Buddhism over her people. Realizing these facts, the Thai rulers have taken the responsibility for the protection and promotion of Buddhism.

The rulers of Thailand have encouraged and supported Buddhism by building and maintaining monasteries, by providing the monks with material necessities and facilities for performing religious duties, by patronizing their educational activities such as the Buddhist Councils for revising the Tripitaka and having the scriptures translated into Thai, and by reforming the Sangha and appointing able Supreme Patriarchs to govern the Order^[5]. Since 1903 (B.E. 2446) the state has even enacted the laws forming the constitution under which the Sangha govern itself^[6].

The Department of Religious Affairs has been established in the Ministry of Education to achieve close cooperation between the Order and the Government and to provide a channel through which the Sangha can communicate with government authorities and through which the state can promote the wellbeing of the Sangha.

Four Buddhist holy days are recognized by the Government as national holidays, namely the Maha Puja Day, the Visakha Puja Day, The Asalha Puja Day, and Khao Pansa Day (Rainy Retreat Day).^[7] Nearly all state and public ceremonies are blessed by the participation and chanting of senior members of the Order. The people also invite monks to chant the Sutras and protective formulas for their blessing and protection in all household rites such as housewarmings, birthday celebrations and weddings, and especially to conduct funeral rites and memorial services for the benefit of the deceased. Even consecrated water is used at most of the auspicious ceremonies. Other forms of animistic and Brahmanic beliefs can also be seen mingled with these popular Buddhist practices.

In Bangkok, the styling is pierced by the spread of pagodas and stupas, especially those of Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn) and the Golden Mount “In the rice lands a traveler is seldom out of the sight of a Phra Chedi (Cetiya) or stupa towering above the village trees. In the less populous sections of the countries are sacred caves, 'footprints' of Buddha, and on many steep and isolated hill a graying Cetiya are visible for miles around.” Bronze and stone images of the Buddha are constantly found in unexpected places while digging the land for irrigation, road construction and other purposes. Buddhism has thus become rooted in the soil of Thailand both literally and metaphorically.

The influences of Buddhism can be seen in all aspects of Thai life and culture. In the home, people keep for worship the Buddha images of various sized on small altar-tables. While traveling, they wear small Buddha images around their necks as objects of veneration and recollection or as amulets for adornment and protection. When passing sacred places like the Royal Chapel of the Emerald Buddha, The Buddhists never fail to pay respect to them. Many times during the year they hold and attend festivals at a monastery.

Occasionally, they go on a pilgrimage to some favorite shrines located in a remote place. Monastery building such as the Uposatha hall and the repository of Buddha images are usually the most beautiful and ornate buildings in the village. The Buddha’s teachings and Buddhist literature such as the Jataka tales have inspired Thai literature and most of the Thai art forms, especially, mural paintings which cover the interior walls of most temples. Pali and Sanskrit are recognized as classical language. A large number of Thai words, especially those use in royal language and written language are derived from Pali and Sanskrit. Scholars writing textbooks usually turn to Pali and Sanskrit root for modern technical vocabulary.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha constitute theTrinity of Buddhism in all its schools. The Dhamma or Buddhism was founded by the Buddha in the fifth century B.C. and has come down as a living tradition to our present time in late 20th century A.D. through the works and way of life of a numerous and worldwide following, especially of those that have taken to the organized monastic life, known as the Sangha. These together are known as Buddhasasana to Buddhists of all nationalities including Thailand.

[2]:

Thailand was formerly known as Siam, meaning Lovely Green Country. The word “Thailand” means the Land of Freedom. The word “Thai” neans: a native or national of Thailand, or member of the largest ethnic group in Thailand, or a person of Thai descent, or the language of Thailand, or matter relating to Thailand, its people and language.

[3]:

H.H. Prince Dhani Nivat, A History of Buddhism in Siam, p.1

[4]:

Paitoon Maliwal, Savai Malathong, A History of Buddhism, pp. 127-128.

[5]:

Rajavaramuni, Thai Buddhism in the Buddhist World, p.22.

[6]:

Strengthened by the suggestion of the director-monks, Rama V, who had embarked upon a grand scale of integration, passed the Sangha Act in 1902, the first of its kind in Siam to cover the whole country. This ecclesiastical act would, as we shall see, bring the Sangha from all parts of the kingdom under a single hierarchy, called the Council of Elders (Mahathera samakhom), which would hold all the executive, legislative and judicial power for the Sangha.

[7]:

Thanapol Chadchaidee, Essay on Thailand, p.16.