Thai Theravada Buddhism
by Dhammacaro Bhikkhu
Theravada is the oldest tradition in Buddhism. It is relatively conservative and generally considered closest to the form of early Buddhism. Theravada is practiced in many countries especially Southeast Asia such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. If we were to talk about the development of Theravada Buddhism within Thailand, we would need to look into its long history,
which can be divided into three key periods:
- Theravada from the Asoka period
- Theravada from the Bukama period
- Theravada from Sri Lanka
A brief description of each of the four periods is detailed below:
1. Theravada from the Asoka period
The first ever Buddhism in Thailand was that which was established and introduced by King Asoka at the city of Pataliputra (218 B.E. - Buddhist Era). After the successful establishment of the third council, King Asoka sent monks abroad in order to propagate the Buddha’s teachings.
Two monks, the elders Sona and Uttara went directly to Suvarnabhumi (now Nakornpathom province, Thailand) to teach the people there. It was from this period that the creation of the famous pagoda design becomes evident.
2. Theravada from the Bukama period
In the year 1600 B.E. Anuruddha The Great, King of Bukama was the head of one of the most flourishing empires in South East Asia. He occupied a number of Kingdoms during his reign, which included Lanna, Lanchang, Lopburi and Davaravadi. He himself held a deep faith in Theravada Buddhism.
During this period, Thailand was invaded by China and so its people emigrated down south to Nan
Chao. It was there that they established the kingdom of Yonokchaingsan in Suvarnabhumi. As time passed, people began gradually to immigrate into other areas and became scattered all around the
country. Buddhism was re-established once again in the reign of King Bukama.
3. Theravada from Sri Lanka
The type of Buddhism that was established within this period is that of the current Thai Buddhism
today. Although it has experienced several evolutionary challenges, in its time, it has always been able to regenerate itself again, even at times of economic down turn and recession.
Sri Lanka and Thailand in particular have shared a long history and a strong bond where religious relations were concerned. At times, when Buddhism in Thailand was in recession, assistance was offered by Sri Lanka and vice versa if the situation changed.
Lankavamsa
The Theravada Buddhism in Thailand is now known as “Lankavamsa”. This is because over 700 years ago King Ramkhamhaeng invited Sri Lanka’s leading senior monks, from Nakhorn Si Thammarat, in the South, to teach Sri Lankan Buddhism in Sukhothai. Hence the birth of Lankanvamsa (Langka Tradition) within Thailand. Such relations still continue to this day, and Buddhism has been able to maintain its place as the main religion of Thailand.
What do Thai people who follow Theravada Buddhism believe? The answer would not be different from other Buddhist traditions. It can be explained that they believed in the triple gem, namely the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha and the five factors of Buddhism. Namely that:
1. A teacher, who became enlightened, was known as the Buddha. Then he taught the world what he had discovered.
2. The teaching is called Dhamma. It is known as the Buddha’s teachings, which can be applied in
human daily life. It is regarded as the middle way of life in between all opposite extremes.
3. The followers of Buddhism are divided into two big groups namely the ordained group; both monks and female monks and the lay group; both laymen and laywomen who learn Dhamma,
practice meditation and convey the teachings of the Buddha to the world, or teach those who are keen to study Buddhism. So those who convey the teachings of the Buddha are not limited to the former group.
4. A religious place, which is usually a monastery, for ordained monks to stay, or the centre for
learning Dhamma or practicing meditation and performing religious activities.
5. The ceremonies which means all activities concerning the Buddha such as the Buddha day
(Vesak/Visakha Puja Day), the teaching or Dhamma day (Asalaha Puja Day) and the Sangha or assembly day (Magha Puja Day), including all activities performed by monks or laymen.
One factor which is regarded as particularly important is the religious place, because it accommodates all the practitioners. The Buddhapadipa Temple, Wat Buddhapadipa was the first Thai Theravada temple in the UK and was established about 45 years ago. There is a main temple in the Thai style and a beautiful garden. Inside the main temple there are decorative mural paintings. It is also a centre for Buddhist monks and people who want to learn about Buddhism, or Thai Theravada Buddhism and practice meditation, all are welcome. There are the resident monks who teach, advise and answer people’s questions at the temple. They follow the recommendation the Buddha gave to his disciples, "Go ye now, O bhikkhus, for the benefit of the many, for the welfare of mankind, out of compassion for the world. Preach the doctrine which is glorious in the beginning, glorious in the middle, and glorious in the end, in the spirit as well as in the letter. There are beings whose eyes are scarcely covered with dust, but if the doctrine is not preached to them they cannot attain salvation. Proclaim to them a life of holiness. They will understand the doctrine and accept it.”
Today Theravada Buddhists, otherwise known as Theravadins, number over 100 million worldwide,
and in recent decades Theravada Buddhism has begun to take root in the West and in the Buddhist revival in India.
