| ding to tradition, Buddhism was introduced into Thailand | | | | Lopburi period), the Khmer empire covered the whole |
| more than two thousand years ago, when this territory | | | | of northeastern and central Thailand. The Khmers |
| was known as Suvarnabhumi and was still inhabited | | | | were adherents of Mahayana Buddhism which came |
| by the Mons and Lawas. At that time one of the nine | | | | from Sumatra and became mixed with their older faith, |
| missions sent by King Asoka of India to spread | | | | Brahmanism. But the Mahayana both of the Srivijaya |
| Buddhism in different countries, came to Suvarnabhumi. | | | | and of the Lopburi periods did not succeed in replacing |
| This mission was headed by two Arahants named | | | | the Theravada and the two schools flourished side by |
| Sona and Uttara and they succeeded in converting the | | | | side. However, it was during these periods that |
| ruler and the people of the Thai kingdom to Buddhism. | | | | Brahmanism and the Mahayana had strong influences |
| Nakhon Pathom was then the capital or one of the | | | | on the Thai culture. Sanskrit, the sacred language of |
| most important cities of Suvarnabhumi and became an | | | | the Hindus and the Mahayana, took deep root in the |
| active centre for the propagation of the teachings of | | | | Thai language and literature, while the Brahmanic |
| the Buddha. A great stupa was erected there to | | | | influence can be seen even today in many Thai |
| commemorate this great historical event, the adoption | | | | customs and public ceremonies. |
| of Buddhism, and it was called Phra Pathom Cbedi, | | | | In B.E. 1600, while the Khmers were still very powerful |
| which means the first Chedi built in this eastern country. | | | | in the east, Anurudh the Great, the king of Pagan or |
| Some scholars say that at the time of the introduction | | | | Pukam, rose to power in the whole of Burma. His |
| of Buddhism into Suvarnabhumi, the Thais were still in | | | | kingdom extended to the Thai kingdoms of Lanna and |
| the south of China. There also, through the friendly | | | | Lanchang. A different form of Theravada called the |
| relationship with China in the reign of Emperor Mingti, | | | | Pukam Hinayana Buddhism was introduced into these |
| the Thais were converted to Buddhism. Khun Luang | | | | areas and was strongly supported by King Anurudh. |
| Mao, who ruled over the kingdom of Ailao at the | | | | Meanwhile, the Thais, who were themselves |
| beginning of the seventh Buddhist century, was the | | | | Theravada Buddhists, had settled down in |
| first Thai ruler who declared himself a Buddhist and the | | | | Suvarnabhumi and come into contact both with the |
| upholder of the faith. | | | | Mahayana and with the Pukam Hinayana. They |
| Later, Mahayana Buddhism flourished in India and took | | | | became more and more powerful while the Pukam |
| the place of Hinayana or Theravada Buddhism. This | | | | kingdom broke up after the reign of King Anurudh and |
| new school of Buddhism spread to many countries | | | | the Khmer Empire declined. Then in about B.E. 1800 |
| both in the north and in the south. It was introduced into | | | | there emerged the kingdom of Lanna in the north |
| Thailand by the kings of Srivijaya whose capital was in | | | | founded by King Mengrai of Chiengsan and the |
| Sumatra and who ruled over the southern provinces | | | | kingdom of Sukhothai in north-central Thailand, founded |
| of Thailand in the fourteenth century of Buddhism. | | | | by Phoh Khun Sriindraditya. It was at this time that the |
| To the east of Thailand, the Khmer kings became | | | | continuous history of the Thai nation began and the |
| powerful in Kambuja from about B.E. 1545 to 1625 | | | | Thai Buddhism took the present form. |
| (1002 - 1082 C.E.). During this period (usually called the | | | | |