An Analysis of Thai State and Buddhism Reformation in the Reigns of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn

Abstract

The objectives of this article are to study Buddhism reformation in the reigns of Rama IV and V, using the two pretexts included to allow Buddhism more reasonable and help Thailand develop itself to its modern era, and to summarize whether the pretexts are reasonable in practice. This article presents that, allow Buddhism are more reasonable in terms of scientific principles is simply the religious pretext in order to abolish the beliefs and credulity in the local society. These make King Rama IV brought Christian reformation as the method to convince Buddhists to believe in Tripitaka (Buddhist scripture). Subsequently, the Dhammayut Order was established. The proposal about helping Thailand develop itself to its modern era led to changes in the society as well as Buddhism. One good example was the institution of the monastic order and reform group called the Dhammayut Order in 2372 B.E. and issuing the Sangha Act of 121 R.S. (1902). The changes in Thai Buddhism in the reigns of Rama IV and V resulted in a number of social changes including education, tradition, culture and others that were due to the administration of social and individual structure system by the government. However, the reformation was not fully goal. In addition, Buddhism reformation was for righteousness to nationalism and nationalism ideology.