1. Buddhism in Thailand
Some scholars believe that Buddhism reached Thailand during the reign of Asoka.
Who was Asoka?
An Indian emperor who sent Buddhist missioners all over the world.
Some scholars believe Buddhism came to Thailand much later.
Some scholars believe that Buddhism reached Thailand during the reign of Asoka.

2. Everyone agrees that Buddhism reached during the time of Mon-Khmer.
During that time the capital was Dvaravati.
Which is Nakon Pathom today.
What is the famous pagoda there?
Phra-Pathom Chedi.
Phra-Pathom Chedi.

3. Theravada What kind of Buddhism is Theravada? It is Southern Buddhism.
Theravada was the first form of Buddhism in Thailand and it came to Thailand 300 years B.C.
Evidence found in Nakon Pathom of Buddha pictures proved that Buddhism came from Magadha (India).

4. Scholars believe that the territory during the 3rd century B. C
Scholars believe that the territory during the 3rd century B.C. was called Suvarnabhumi (the Land of Gold).
Scholars can’t agree on the exact location of Suvarnabhumi, but it was either in current Thailand, Myanmar, Laos or Cambodia.
Scholars believe that the territory during the 3rd century B.C. was called Suvarnabhumi (the Land of Gold).

5. Mahayana What kind of Buddhism is Mahayana? It is Northern Buddhism.
Mahayana Buddhism spread to Southeast Asia after the reign of King Kanishka in northern India. (About 400 A.D.)
Mahayana Buddhism first reached Sumatra. And then from Sumatra it spread to Java, Cambodia and Southern Thailand. (About 800 A.D)

6. There was a strong influence of Mahayana Buddhism in Lopburi coming from Cambodia about 1100 A.D.

7. Burma (Pagan) Buddhism
What kind of Buddhism was propagated during Burma Buddhism?
Theravada Buddhism.
Who was the powerful king in Burma during that time?
King Anawrahta. (Year 1057)
Who was the powerful king in Burma duirng that time?

8. What was the capital of Burma that time?
Pagan.
The influence of Buddhism from Burma was present in Northern and central Thailand.
In the south the influence of Mahayana Buddhism was still strong.
What was the name of the kingdom in Northern Thailand that time?
Sukhotai. (Year 1257)
Sukhothai. (Year 1257)

9. Ceylon Era Buddhism
What kind of Buddhism was supported during that time?
Theravada Buddhism.
Where was this support coming from?
From Ceylon (present Sri Lanka).
From Ceyol (present Sri lanka).

10. Who consolidated Buddhism in Ceylon?
King Parakramabahu.
King Parakramabahu.

11. Monks from different regions: Burma, Kampuja, Lanna (Northern Thailand), Lanchang (Laos) went to Ceylon to learn about the pure form of Dharma. (Around 1200 A.D.)
What is Dharma?
It is the truth, the teaching of Buddha explaining how the universe and karma work.
It is the teaching of Buddha, explaining how the universe and karma works.

12. Who supported Buddhism in Thailand during Ceylon era?
King Ram Kamhaeng, and by 1277 Ceylon Buddhism was widely practiced in Thailand.
What form of Buddhism is practiced today in Thailand?
Theravada Buddhism.
Theravad Buddhism.

13. Buddhism: its present How many people are Buddhists in Thailand?
Almost 94% of all Thai population.
Almost 94% of all Thai population.

14. According to Thai constitution Thai kings must be Buddhists and the Upholder of Buddhism.
According to Thai constitution Thai kings must be Bddhists and the Upholder of Buddhism.

15. Thailand is also called:
The Land of Yellow Robes.
The Land of Yellow Robes.

16. The Bikkhu Sangha (the Holy Order)
The Bikkhu Sangha in Thailand is of Therevada (Southern) school and it follows the doctrine (Dhamma-Vinaya), same as in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
The Bikkhu Sangha is of Therevada (Southern) school and it follows the doctrine of Dhamma-Vinaya.

17. Temples How many temples are there in Thailand? About 40,000 temples!
Who maintains temples in Thailand?
Money are granted by the government and also people’s contributions are significant. M

18. Nikayas There are 2 Nikayas (Buddhist sects) in Thailand: Maha Nikaya
Dhammayut Nikaya
Which one is bigger?
Maha Nikaya (the ratio of monks is 35 to 1!)
Mahanikaya (the ratio of monks is 35 to 1 !)

19. Who was the founder of Dhammayut Nikaya?
King Mongkut 1833.
What is the difference between Maha Nikaya and Dhammayut Nikaya?
Not a big difference, just the difference in manners of putting on the yellow robes.
Not a big difference, just the difference in manners of putting on the yellow robes.

20. The Sangharaja What is “Sangharaja”? The Supreme Patriarch.
Who was the last Sangharaja of Thailand?
Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara.
( )
Sangharaja is entitled to appoint “Sangha Nayaka” which leads the council of Ecclesiestical ministers.
Sangharaja is entitled to appoint “Sangha Nayaka” which leads the council of Ecclesietical ministers.