Thai National Day is today:

Buddhism in Thailand

Upali S. Jayasekera Secretary Sri Lanka-Thailand Society

Buddhism was introduced to Thailand during the reign of King Asoka of India (269-237 B.C.). There is a belief that it was two bhikkhus, Phra Uttara and Phra Sona, who brought Buddhism to Thailand.

After introduction, Buddhism gained wide acceptance due to its emphasis on tolerance and individual initiative, which agreed with the cherished sense of inner freedom of the Thai people. As a result 94 percent of Thais are Buddhists.

Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism) is the state religion of Thailand but freedom to profess any religion is enshrined in the constitution except in so far as they are inconsistent with his or her duties as a citizen or incompatible with public order and good morals. The king is the protector of all religions though the king has to be a Buddhist. He is also the ultimate decider on administrative issues pertaining to the bhikkhu order.

It is the custom for all kings to serve as a novitiate in a temple and the present king too was a bhikkhu for two weeks. It is also customary for the youth to serve as a bhikkhu for some period after which they are considered mature.

The number of temples in the country is around 30,678 whilst there are about three and half lakhs of bhikkhus and samaneras (novices).

The Thai Government protects temple lands and income, gives financial assistance for the maintenance of temples, promotes Buddhist education and provides for the education of the sangha. Close cooperation between the government and the sangha is maintained through the Department of Religious Affairs.

The Sangha

A person entering the bhikkhu order is debarred from indulging in any kind of business activity, including agriculture. They have to depend on relatives and dayakayas for their needs.

The sangha is not permitted to follow studies that lead to commercial activity or employment and are not expected to sit competitive examinations or study in universities with the laity.

The sangha cannot join political parties or engage in political activities. They cannot participate in election campaigns. In fact the sangha has no voting rights.

The Buddhist clergy cannot be sited in parks, playgrounds and other places of enjoyment where the laity gather.

They do not visit exhibitions along with the laity. Film halls are out of bounds for them.

If a member of the Buddhist clergy is accused of a criminal act, the sangha sabha or the disciplinary council comprised members of the sangha, go into the allegation and if found guilty, the bhikkhu is disrobed and handed over to the police to be dealt with under the law.

A bhikkhu in robes, does not appear in courts, even to give evidence. The evidence, if necessary, is recorded in the temple by officials authorised by courts.

This would mean that a person on being ordained as a bhikkhu, relinquishes all civil responsibilities, takes to the learning of the dhamma, live a religious life in accordance with Buddha Dhamma and helps the laity to achieve spiritual betterment by imparting the Dhamma and guiding them to follow Buddhist teachings. The sangha does not resort to materialistic self-improvement.

A member of the clergy can leave the robes and return to the life of a layman. That too is done in the open and ceremonially after giving notice in advance. The disrobing ceremony is headed by the chief of the temple who initially removes the robe from the shoulder at the ceremony. Thereafter, the bhikkhu removes the robe, get into white clothing provided by the relatives and places the robe near the head priest. Gathas are recited as part of the ceremony. He then leaves the temple to lead the life of a layman. It is also a practice for them to stay on in the temple for a few days and do cleaning etc.

Organisational structure

The Mahanayake is the Somdech Phra Sangharaja, appointed by the king in consultation with the sangha. The selection is made on ability, education, piety and seniority.

The legislative body in the sangha sabha made up of 45 members of the sangha, appointed by the Sangharaja for life. The selection, once again, is on seniority and eligibility. The sangha sabha meets at least once a year, with the date being fixed in consultation with the Ministry of Education. The sangha signs for all rules and regulations enacted or decisions taken by the Sangha Sabha.

The governing body or the sanghadhikaranaya consists of the Sangharaja and nine other senior members, appointed by the Sangharaja, which body is equivalent to the supreme court. There is also an appeal court consisting 11 members and another 115 bhikkhus comprise the lower courts.

The government assists the sangha sabha, appeal court and the lower courts by advising on the law and handing down punishments.

For reasons of the administration of the bhikkhu order, the country is divided into nine regions, with a head priest and assistants appointed by the sangha sabha who supervise the functions in their respective regions.

Main religious festivals

Vesak Full Moon Day, that the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and passed away, is celebrated on three days consecutively but the Full Moon Day only is a national holiday. Observing ‘Sil’ is not a common feature, temples are illuminated, sermons are delivered and pujas are held. People gather in temples to offer flowers at the shrines and offer dana to the sangha. There are religious processions too.

On the Full Moon Day in February ‘Magha Pooja’ is celebrated and the day is a national holiday. It is second in importance as a religious festival. The day depicts the meeting of 1250 Buddha disciples at the Veluwana Temple in India and their entering the sangha before The Buddha, who delivered the “Owada Pathimokkhya’ sermon and foretold his disciples that he would pass away in three months.

The anniversary of the cremation of the remains of The Buddha on the eighth day after Vesak Full Moon Day, is observed in all temples with sermons and religious observances.

The New Year (April 13 to 16) is observed with people flocking to temples, offering flowers at shrines, listening to sermons and resorting to poojas.

The Full Moon Day in July, marks the beginning of Vas or Buddhist Lent, which is a national holiday. During the Vas period the sangha is expected to spent their time in the temples. Religious observances are held and offerings are made on this day.

Conclusion

The organisational structure of the bhikkhu order and the functioning of the sangha sabha, largely contribute to the strengthening of Buddhism in the country and the maintenance of discipline among the sangha.

However, as at present, there appears to be a determined effort by external forces to bring the clergy to disrepute and destabilise Buddhism. The Thai Clergy and the laity should be alive to the danger and ensure that such efforts are negated.