Development of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand - by Ven. Dr. Phramaha Anon Ānando

Summary

In the University of West's 2025 Distinguished Lecture Series, Ven. Dr. Phramaha Anon Ānando delves into the intricate history and evolution of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand. Despite Thailand's dominant association with Theravada Buddhism, Dr. Anon highlights that Mahayana traditions indeed have a significant historical and cultural presence. His lecture encompasses the historical interactions, cross-cultural influences, and enduring legacy of Mahayana alongside other practices. He also navigates through archaeological evidence and texts that recount Buddhism's spread from India to Thailand and later developments. Thailand's spiritual and religious landscape is elaborated through discussions of influential periods, such as the 'Swan Pumi' era and Sukhothai period, cultural interplay, and modern Mahayana practices.

Highlights

• Ven. Dr. Anon presents a comprehensive overview of Mahayana Buddhism's historical journey in Thailand. 🙌
• He shares rich details about Thailand's Buddhist history, including internal shifts and external influences. 🕰️
• Throughout history, Thailand has integrated elements from Sanskrit texts, showing Mahayana's diverse influence. 📜
• Diverse Buddhist practices, including ritual and meditation, continue to coexist within Thai culture's fabric. 🧘‍♀️
• Mahayana shrines and educational centers are part of Thailand's contemporary religious landscape. 🎓

Key Takeaways

• Mahayana Buddhism has ancient roots in Thailand, paralleling the more commonly recognized Theravada tradition. 🌿
• Important archaeological and textual evidence trace back Mahayana's presence to over a thousand years ago. 📚
• Thailand has experienced diverse Buddhist influences, including Mahayana, due to its geographic and cultural crossroads. 🌏
• With historical interplay, contemporary Thailand still houses vibrant Mahayana communities alongside Theravada. 🏯
• Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism reflect the dynamic spiritual heritage of Thailand, showing cultural resilience and evolution. 🔄

Overview

Ven. Dr. Phramaha Anon Ānando led an engaging discussion about the evolution of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand, focusing on its historical roots and lasting impact. His lecture illuminated the fact that Mahayana Buddhism, although often overshadowed by the dominant Theravada tradition, has played a crucial role in shaping the nation's religious identity over centuries.

Tracing back to early Indian influence, he explained how Mahayana Buddhism, through trade and cultural exchanges, became interwoven into Thailand's historical narrative. He underscored the importance of archaeological finds and ancient texts that support Mahayana's early presence, and outlined key historical periods like the 'Swan Pumi' era and Sukhothai period that fostered its growth.

Dr. Anon also highlighted modern developments, noting how Mahayana practices and communities have evolved and continue to thrive in Thailand. This enduring presence underscores the interwoven nature of different Buddhist traditions in Thailand, celebrating a unique spiritual versatility and resilience that has characterized the country for centuries.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 03:00: Introduction and Speaker Background This chapter serves as an introduction to the 2025 Religious Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted by the Department of Religious Studies at the University of West. The speaker, M Sake, who is the chair and associate professor of the department, welcomes the audience and expresses excitement and honor in hosting the event.
• 03:00 - 09:00: Buddhism in Thailand Overview In this chapter, Dr. Pra Maha Anon Padaw, also known as AP Anundo, is introduced. He is a distinguished guest speaker and renowned scholar in Buddhist studies. Dr. Anon serves as an assistant professor at the International Buddhist Studies College at Mahachula Karada University and is the director of the Thai Chinese Buddhist Canon Translation Center at Bhan Taiwa Temple in Thailand.
• 09:00 - 16:00: Historical Development of Mahayana Buddhism This chapter explores the historical development of Mahayana Buddhism through the lens of academic studies and institutional roles. It mentions a professional with extensive academic background in Pali Buddhist studies, philosophy, Chinese language, Mahayana Buddhist studies, religious studies, and the science of religion, detailing his roles in various academic institutions, including a part-time role at Chinu Buddhist Sun University in Taiwan and as a director of the MA in Buddhist studies Chinese program at MCU.
• 16:00 - 23:00: Mahayana Influence and Evidence in Thailand The chapter delves into the influence and evidence of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand. It highlights the interconnections between prestigious academic institutions across Thailand, Taiwan, and China, emphasizing their collaborative research efforts in fields such as early Buddhism, Mahatmya, Buddhist logic, translation, and studies. Furthermore, it discusses groundbreaking thesis work, specifically mentioning a master's thesis from Sabba Mati Kata of in Katabu and a doctoral thesis examining the concept of Paran. These academic contributions reflect the ongoing scholarly engagement and exploration of Mahayana Buddhism's role and presence in Thailand.
• 23:00 - 30:00: Contemporary Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand This chapter focuses on the contemporary Mahayana Buddhism movement in Thailand, highlighting notable contributions and individuals involved in promoting and integrating Buddhist teachings across Thailand, Taiwan, and China. It discusses the achievements of a prominent figure in the field, recognized for his dedication to Buddhist scholarship and translation efforts, with accolades such as alumni and translation awards. The chapter sets the foundation for further exploration into today's lecture topic.
• 30:00 - 43:00: Factors Leading to Decline of Mahayana The chapter covers the decline of Mahayana Buddhism, with a focus on its development in Thailand.
• 43:00 - 55:00: Audience Questions and Discussions The chapter involves a talk on the development of a highform (or highism) in Thailand. The speaker has been invited to discuss this topic. Despite expressing some self-doubt about his English proficiency, the speaker encourages the audience to ask questions or communicate in Chinese if needed, as some audience members are noted to understand Chinese. This openness to multilingual communication sets a cooperative tone for the audience's engagement.
• 55:00 - 66:00: Conclusion and Closing Remarks The chapter provides a summary of a presentation discussing the presence and history of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand.

Development of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand - by Ven. Dr. Phramaha Anon Ānando Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 [Music] Hello and welcome to the 2025 religious distinguished lecture series hosted by department of religious study at the University of West and thank you all for being here. I'm M sake chair and associate professor of the department of religious study and I'm excited to give up today's event and it is with great pleasure and honor I introduce today's
• 00:30 - 01:00 guest distinguished guest speaker vendor Dr. Pra Maha Anon Padaw also known as AP Anundo. He's a renowned scholar and committed practitioner in the field of Buddhist studies. Uh currently serving as assistant professor at the international Buddhist studies college at Mahachula Karada University. U he is also a director of the Thai Chinese Buddhist canon translation center at the Bhan Taiwa temple in Thailand. His academic
• 01:00 - 01:30 career spans multiple institutions including a part-time role at Chinu Buddhist Sun University in Taiwan and as a director of the MA in Buddhist studies Chinese program at MCU. He has an extens impressive academic background with degree and extensive extensive studies in Pali Buddhist studies uh philosophy, Chinese language, Mahayana Buddhist studies, uh religious studies and science of religion. from
• 01:30 - 02:00 prestigious institutions across Thailand, Taiwan and China and his research interests including early Buddhism, Mahatma, logic, Buddhist translation and studies. His contribution to the fields are reflected in his uh groundbreaking thesis work including the master thesis from Sabba Mati Kata of in Katabu and a doctoral thesis exam in the concept of paran in the versus
• 02:00 - 02:30 controversies. His dedicated dedication to Buddhist scholarship has earned him numerous prestigious award such as an outstanding alumni award from Narva University in 2019 and Sri Raja translation award in 2023. Beyond his academic academ achievement Anand is deeply engaged in promoting Buddhist teaching and translation effort fostering connection across the rich Buddhist tradition of Thailand, Taiwan and China. The topic of today's lecture
• 02:30 - 03:00 is development of Mahana Buddhism in Thailand. Without further ado, please join me in [Music] [Applause] [Music] welcom and all the uh good afternoon everyone. Um I'm very appreciate today's I got
• 03:00 - 03:30 a invite to give a talks about the development of a highism in Thailand. Uh first of all my English is quite better than this problem. If you can um sometime you can understand uh sometime if you not care can uh ask me maybe in Chinese or in because some of you here I saw you can speak Chinese and some of you can speak Chinese here. So anyway um I u
• 03:30 - 04:00 my presentation today focus on the Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand. Basically when we think about uh Thailand Buddhism basically we focus on terabat Buddhism right not focus on Mahayana Buddhism but actually in Thailand we have the different periods of the development of Buddhism in Thailand for example from the uh it's quite early of Buddhism spread into Thailand in the period of
• 04:00 - 04:30 AOA and after that um it it is periods it belong to the terism And after that approximately about 1,200 years ago about this period belong to the Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism together. So and after that in the after sucotype period after period
• 04:30 - 05:00 is conversely the terabolism again. So this essentially give you the the the informations about the development of Buddhism in Thailand is quite the different period and the Buddhism in contemporary in Thailand to be two school and the first school is belong to Buddhism divide to be two school Mahani Gaya and Gaya. Mahani Gaya for my
• 05:00 - 05:30 tradition belongs to the Mahani Gaya traditions and Gaya establishment one 150 years ago first world this this this time and the second one is Mahayana Buddhism in Mahayana Buddhism now they divide to be two school anamaya and Chinese naya anamony gaya is come from the Vietnamese Vietnam traditions uh in the Tori period and about 200
• 05:30 - 06:00 years ago. 400 years ago and the Chinese naya or Chinese traditions surprised into Thailand propagating to Thailand uh about 150 years in the king or in Chinese at that time and the majority of Thai um
• 06:00 - 06:30 approximately believe in Buddhism 95% Why you know the 95% because in the uh Thai IB citizens it's very very clear the record what the religions you belong to. So we know about the how many how many persons who believe what kind of religions you belong to or something like that. So this is a um Thai map as in the ancient Buddhism separation to Thailand
• 06:30 - 07:00 from India to Thailand after Buddha passed away about uh 300 after Buddha passed away in the periods of the AOA and at that time uh in Southeast Asia it belong to the Swanopi. So in the words of the swanopi this one is quite a lot of the theory where is the swanopoui some of the theory said on in Thailand
• 07:00 - 07:30 particularly in the noon province some of scholar believe that the pumi is the locates in the uh the south of my so the conclusions one is if you said Where is where where isumi nowaday is a Thai airport. So in Thailand
• 07:30 - 08:00 Bangkok. So in the left part also I give you more about the the introductions about the the the earliest of hybridism in Thailand started by the Swanopumi period. Um the in the mali langqu they have many kinds of the the the Buddhist scripture request about like for example um and so on. So this is uh the the and
• 08:00 - 08:30 at that time when uh Buddhism propagating to Thailand they have two venerable sona and sona and they're the first group come to Southeast Asia you can say Southeast Asia not just focus of Thailand is the whole of Southeast Asia because um from Vietnam is all wonderful also including Vietnam too. Mhm. So uh at that time uh
• 08:30 - 09:00 two venable uh from uh from India came to uh Southeast Asia and started to propagate Buddhism in Southeast Asia is wonderful and at that time uh I think um he he came by the sea by the boat not by the by the land. So why? Because of this story they talk about they have some like a yaka a demon a female demon they
• 09:00 - 09:30 come from from come from the sea to kill some some some some some boy in the city something like so when they saw two ven two venable came to me they say this is the the like a yasa like demon so they try to kill them so that used like a magic power something like that to control the the diamond the
• 09:30 - 10:00 gaka and after that started to propagate Buddhism and they use the pamara suta. The pasar sutam is become the first Buddhist canon the first he propagates for the southeast Asian people and give the why I I quote this because we connect to the people in Thailand in the tangastic in the in the tango and so on and uh he gave the three
• 10:00 - 10:30 persons who give the bata for the the the males and one 1,500 for the females to be uh ms and none and after that we don't know about too much about the pony in Thailand maybe maybe this year but why I found some evidence from the Chinese court particular from the from the from
• 10:30 - 11:00 the mentions about the the people in Thailand and And I will show you later. So where is the pumi and I just I I just mentioned about this this in scholars he said the swan pumi should be maybe the south of my or maybe in the center of kil maybe they they take off the the boats and came
• 11:00 - 11:30 to pass the south of my came to the the province because we fell from this one. This is a the the the maps of the mai now and here and this is the Bangkok. So the is the best of the Bangkok now. So we we we found many kinds of the evidence from from this is
• 11:30 - 12:00 pakoda the very very biggest and highest of the bod in Thailand we call jino in Thailand for in this pakoda not just like this before there the the the ar um there's a pakoda so um basically in Thailand when we talking about the the origins of t is a is from is from prophet in this place and they have many kind of like
• 12:00 - 12:30 the tamachaka tamachaka also it's quite a lot in in in the mid of Thailand and across the country there's many places and also include some kind of is in the inh south of India language also leas in in province and we also found like
• 12:30 - 13:00 this is this what we know of talking about the the dharmas from cause and conditions like the maha maha said like this is from the most venable topic oh sorry venerable [Music] and tabism in seventh centuries. After that, we don't have too much about the
• 13:00 - 13:30 evidence to show to to talk about the the the Buddhism in Thailand. But from the seventh century, the evidence from the archaeologist and the Chinese record we we today we focus on the the Mahayana Buddhism. So I I'm not too much talk about general and we find the Indians from the archaeologist and Chinese say I think some of you maybe never seen this feature before. This is the it's quite close to the this is place is called the kanok of
• 13:30 - 14:00 borda is a show at that time Thailand um it's quite close to the mahayanaism you we found some some Buddha image belong to like Mahayana traditions Mahayana style aid Buddha they can bow from this places and this places is quite very thick and close to
• 14:00 - 14:30 the Indonesia the the the bolog you see the whole the locations this is in front of the this is belong to the period period approximately 1,200 years ago and the same in tang dynasty in in China so we found the evidence from the Chinese particular from
• 14:30 - 15:00 the record of the inner law sent home from the southeast. This card mentions about the theati in Southeast Asia include from Narai that eating. He studied Nalanta temple and from Nalenta he he focus on on from Nalanta and from Nalata to the to the east and
• 15:00 - 15:30 southeast dations he has many of country for example like Suan Sra is belong is a is a an of the myanmar nowaday Okay. And after that Langasu Langasu is a is a south of Thailand now. And is belong to to the middle of Thailand. Now they sometime we call it is in in
• 15:30 - 16:00 in it the middle of Thailand and Li is it is the the Vietnam. Okay. He said at that time uh when uh in the seventh centuries in this country in Southeast Asia they um he said he said um they believe in the triple gems. So in this country in the ancients 20 1,200 years ago in
• 16:00 - 16:30 Southeast Asia they believe Buddhism is say this one. Yeah. All this country there's really good trips and there are many mens who also they got the precept and practice arms and do tutanka this you can see this one in the the j and so on so uh you said it's like a western land what is a western western land is mean the India in India so I have seen sas
• 16:30 - 17:00 who are really difference from. So this is uh in keep the the the whole of the countries in Southeast Asia at that time in in seventh centuries in the ancients of the country names is now not available. they can find some like a um like a like a koda like some kind of architect or
• 17:00 - 17:30 something and it's quite close to Thai Buddhism and mentions about the Thai Buddhism like that they have he more mentions about many many island country and seas Moin island and so on and once of uh legions he mentioned that is a pan. So pen in Thailand many
• 17:30 - 18:00 scholar I have it's quite more discuss about the pan pan island of pano this is a pano what is a pano this pano will connect to the pip in Thailand because not just in but the pano in eating record also connect to the connect to the and so on. So I just give you the
• 18:00 - 18:30 the information about the from from the eating record and he said the whole this country people follow Buddhism but mostly belong to Buddhism and except the mother you use and they are feel Mahayana Buddhism. What does it mean? It's been in the eating record maybe um maybe in the south of Thailand the Mahayana is not popular. Maybe he's not
• 18:30 - 19:00 popular because he just only say oh okay just only in the Malayu mallayu is like a south of Thailand Indonesia maybe it should be Indonesia it's more the Mallayu people in that time they have the the Mahayana believer but we can um see more others from the Thai archaeological evidence from from Thai pagoda and Buddhist temple
• 19:00 - 19:30 every he translate some sometime um I think when when he translate the pan and translate to the joy in the Iceland some I'm agree sometime I'm not agree particular this place so when you say I don't believe this is a island places I I think this is some kind of regions like a country something like that not like island because from
• 19:30 - 20:00 like and pangu it say not it's quite different lard so this is use for in many kinds of about the southeast Asia and this is also translated into In Egypt you have two record about in the seven centuries. uh first
• 20:00 - 20:30 is and the second is both of this is quite important to us about the history of the Southeast Asia Buddhism and very quickly in Thailand in the seventh centuries I just mentioned about the panzo and how about the pano in the other records like have different um the Chinese use
• 20:30 - 21:00 and pan actually the same places and each co has same scholar believe the pan of pan some it's quite different but I think it's the same places that different translations don't look at this in Thailand especially in the district of puning in Thailand a south of Thailand is province they have the one district is called punin So uh this
• 21:00 - 21:30 place u many scholar believe this is the ancient lake in the pano pano and could be in this places uh it says in all the record like the pongian is also in the in the t dynasty said the kingdom of pandan has a 10 monastery for people and pony sunis so so for the sunis how to
• 21:30 - 22:00 um how to explain they have a son and me in the the general idea. We believe they have the piku and piponyi uh the Santa monastery who who stay in this place and the people and punish study Buddhist scriptures eat meat but do not drink alcohol. This is in the seventh centuries and but then also I have the uh down also monastery
• 22:00 - 22:30 seminism in Thailand in seventh century. I don't think so because the next verse is he mentions about the prominence of scripture there the the the prominence he neither eat the meat nor drink alcohol study scripture of so maybe the
• 22:30 - 23:00 talism in in in China maybe not not more study about scripture right so I think at that time should be the in Chinese maybe belong to the the feminism or Hinduism at that time. So um he call the people he call the the monks of people and very very respectful by the name of Tan. The Tan is very very
• 23:00 - 23:30 local language in Thailand and now we we still use this word T. Tan is like most valuable something like the veneable or most valuable something is is meaning of t in Thai word. So in this verse is called he called them
• 23:30 - 24:00 and this feminisms British British they call them very show the respect and show the respectful uh what what we found from this at that time Buddhism in Thailand in the seventh century they accept both Hinduism and and Buddhism together. Yeah. So this is a it's quite close to the the tantra Buddhism and in other uh books in the
• 24:00 - 24:30 chamsu the kingdom of the southwest of the li of Vietnam nowaday the southern sea and um brother to the north by a small sea so the small sea is being of Thailand about this that he then me about this really really big sea is a small sea not not too big uh because he said the travels the bibles
• 24:30 - 25:00 from theto is a north of the Vietnam and to this place of panho this place 40 days by boat and come to this this place there's a panhando and the neighbors of the kingdom is lankas sometime in uh lake He use a kamalanka kamalanga but in eating use langas like a lankas in a is
• 25:00 - 25:30 a is a uh it's quite close to Malaysia. In this place is three um three province and live in this place belong to um the langu study in comedics scriptures and also also Buddhism. So it show they believe both in Buddhism and Buddhism and Hinduism together. So uh in my opinion I think are there
• 25:30 - 26:00 people who belong to Mahayana it's good or not in this era uh Thai Buddhist believe both in Buddhism and prominism. So at that time belong to tantra Buddhism. So Tantra Buddhism not from China but they come from the the India. So maybe not impact from the tant in in China but got a impact from the the the the tantra in India. So in Thailand if
• 26:00 - 26:30 you can see for example like uh the the what come in state in Thailand so many schol in Thailand they it says about this picture to be two kinds of fairly the first one they believe the tourism in Thailand that kind they are
• 26:30 - 27:00 a mix mix Buddhism and Hinduism together. is is quite belong to tantra tantric idea at the same believe this is come from the sutra in we we we read from the start we we we can see when Buddha start to to to talk and to give a a teachings you have many kinds
• 27:00 - 27:30 of the labor and come together so this is a show the many many uh the the that is that they were in Hindu is like nar or something and a lot of abstract to come to to joy this Buddha started to to propagate this idea this this this this suta. So you
• 27:30 - 28:00 can see this is a Buddha and this is many parts of the deas in in the Hinduism in Brahminism and also include the absara it's quite close to when I saw these pictures um let me more think about the moaku in China the tunang is also like this in in the in the cave in in China but it's
• 28:00 - 28:30 quite different style but it's quite a quite close idea and now in this cave the the pictures in here and this c now they they do the meditation hall they have some this c is belong it belong to what temple this a temple now they have many monks and some practitioner who do a meditation retreats in inside this this
• 28:30 - 29:00 cave. Okay. Otherwise, in the seventh centuries, we we found some the Tomachaka in robbery province. Robbery province is the mids of Thailand, the north of the Aayutaya. Now, I I live in Aayutaya. Some of you maybe have been in Thailand before. You can know north of the Aayutya, Lori province. So in the Roi provin um this language like a balawa
• 29:00 - 29:30 language it's quite um belong to the the ancients of Thai language now that we we don't know the the normal people cannot understand what it mean but the record in Sanskrit and the informations from these scriptures this um evidence is also like about
• 29:30 - 30:00 the same and some of the the kata went after Buddha just only just got enlightenment not too long and he says some some like that or something like
• 30:00 - 30:30 and so on. This is a in the is use a Sanskrit language but this Sanskrit is quite close to the pali language. And uh the the the normal idea when we talk about the Sanskrit language belong to the the the Mahayana structure also in Thailand. And when we talk about the Mahayanism in Thailand in the n centuries and we have
• 30:30 - 31:00 some some Sanskrit this is also in Sanskrit but you got an chance of high in my my province in Kaima and he has about the 20 females buffal something like that they offer for the months uh the king. This the this four offering have been dedicated by the
• 31:00 - 31:30 kings of sea chess to Buddhist mans who who hope to be a Buddha who who hope to enlightenment. This is show the idea of the Mahayana Buddhism in Mahayana teaching like encourage people to to be a Buddha to get enlightenment something like that. So we we can we can find some evidence from some inscriptions in the boy.
• 31:30 - 32:00 And this is also true uh presently in 11th centuries in the also in the um Sansung Sansbury province in the north of Aayutia also talk about um 44 they have the liorations. This this
• 32:00 - 32:30 incription talk about the lireations. Someone someone who who practiced meditation retreat here nobody not around someone who interrupt them to do meditations. So he said in this place um there are some months Mahayana and Sapia it's very clear at that time in 11th 11th centuries Thai Buddhism maybe
• 32:30 - 33:00 have both Telawat Buddhism and Mahayana sat is a ter but this is in in in the Mahayana and Satavira who practice and use the the the meditation patients when after he he he done right offer the merits for the Surya. They were a king at that time and in all uh description like Babak Ba
• 33:00 - 33:30 scriptures mentions about the five Buddha five Buddha belong to my tradition and also the Sakawa. also talk about it show the the the show the respect to the five five Buddha and Brahma and Sakawa and this is my hometown close to my hometown also my hometown also have
• 33:30 - 34:00 like this uh this building in the particular from 11th century to 13 13 or 14th century approximately about this period the proa implement Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand. This is quite mix between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism together. I don't know some of you who ever lived in Thailand before did you ever visit this place or
• 34:00 - 34:30 not? Yeah, maybe some vine. Um so this place uh is a mix Hinduism and Buddhism and Hinduism together. So um when we see this one lens on the to show like in the traditions and
• 34:30 - 35:00 Pyro on this one. This is very belong to my and this is the the device in in the Hinduism and in this this law and the L of the west door of of this building.
• 35:00 - 35:30 They have another one the Amida Buddha Aid Buddha but it has been destroyed. So in the western in the Mahayana tradition believed in the suki world in the western. So the I have another one the aid here and this is talk about
• 35:30 - 36:00 the life story and this is many kinds of indoor deities and in Southeast Asia when we talk about the of basically belong to female or male not female in Thailand in Thailand Indonesia and many many places include many many place in in in Southeast Asia
• 36:00 - 36:30 the water you you can see um this image is not like now day in the Chinese traditions like or like Mahayana tradition nowadays come to the the female female style but it's in in the ancients more than 1,000 years ago is belong to a male style. So the the top of head they have the Buddha right it's
• 36:30 - 37:00 quite the the general idea about and his law is a they have the small Buddha this is small Buddha is belong after that come to the tradition Buddha the Fai the forkai is come from but the Buddha is small Buddha in Thailand is very very the propula in Thailand. A lot of foreigners went to Thailand go to search for the the fai
• 37:00 - 37:30 the the emirate Buddha. This is come from the Mahayana traditions in the Tantra Buddhism. So I can show you more about the in different style and this is also the water and this is also this is come some kind of some scholar believe this is the ma but I'm not sure about the the the idea this is all
• 37:30 - 38:00 of this idea all of this image is belong to the mahaya in at that time. You you can go to the if you have opportunity go to visit Thailand. I suggest you go to the uh but in Bangkok and national museum in national museum. They keep this image Buddhist image and the Buddha image in Mahayana in terai in
• 38:00 - 38:30 the ancient blood and the exhibition all in. Uh okay this is I compare compare in the in different periods. So this is uh in high this is also in high this is we from oh this is in Kanabi Kanaburi is west of Thailand and this is from the south of Thailand and this is from the
• 38:30 - 39:00 Tuans monastery in Bangkok. So this is a different number of virus side in the male and female and also in Thailand we can find some idea of three body of the Buddha like and also mentions about the pes in the uh that is scripture in the buram
• 39:00 - 39:30 provinces of northeast Thailand. In northeast we we found lots of the Mahayana evidence in this areas and also in some of the leaders of Thailand and best of Thailand and also include the south of Thailand and show you like this one and but the description is quite simple for many places and this is
• 39:30 - 40:00 ancient of pilates nowaday we don't know we for the general people We we cannot read what it mean and also is a lass in the sunrit too. So it's a double difficult and this is a show the three bodies the the tree gay in local uh province. So why you talk about the Buddha is fai this is come from the thera Buddhism
• 40:00 - 40:30 from the the small one like this Buddha image in the ancients in 1380 this is a different style in theaya kaya and Vietnam in Now when we talk about the um
• 40:30 - 41:00 Buddhism, they have after that after this period in personally um the Buddhist era 1,8 or 900 approximately about this this period and started to this is basically is it is perforai period. Beforeai period it included in
• 41:00 - 41:30 the eating lean and shang le something but after support period got the influence from sangan sangai police. There are some sangai monks who came to south of Thailand and the king of Suko Thai invoai capital city and his beam and after that Buddhism conversism to terabolism until now. So
• 41:30 - 42:00 now the the origins of the terabaism nowadays belong to the silangan silangan lions not the origins in the in the Indian in the period. No this is a is a news news movement from the mahayana to teran until now. So what now when we talking about the
• 42:00 - 42:30 terism the first thing we think about the terabolism not about but in ancient and many kinds of Indians and black casabolism in Thailand and after that about 200 more than 200 years ago I have u in the touri in the tur era in the 1567 to 89
• 42:30 - 43:00 approximately the Vietnam Buddhism came to came to Thailand and experienced many kinds of Buddhistry in Bangkok in the uh countryides and now we we have very big um Buddhist belong to know Vietnam. Vietnam
• 43:00 - 43:30 group had many kind of the administrators who control the the Vietnam sanka in Thailand and also in the 18 uh 13 and 1910 about this period the a tennis visit came to Thailand by Venerable Sh. So when he was sh he he's come from the south of Thailand sorry south of
• 43:30 - 44:00 China. So he took the Buddhism in Chinese style come to come to Thailand in the same traditions and as the first Chinese temple in Thailand called or in Thailand. So now in Thailand uh this is pictures actually here is uh
• 44:00 - 44:30 foran ta temple in Bangkok. Very very beautiful. Welcome to visit uh foran temple is a top 10 very famous in Thailand nowadays. They're very beautiful. It's quite news for Thai people. Many tourists they come to here to visit and they do in in this place the um include the u Chinese
• 44:30 - 45:00 language uh Chinese food and uh Taiines translation center most venerable Master Cinti he he he propagate the divinity Buddhism by uh this idea and this is our work in the Tai Chinese Buddhist translation center and operate with the Thai council to
• 45:00 - 45:30 translate Chinese to Thai and Thai and Thai language to Chinese to exchange about because the problem in the mention We don't know too much. We don't have too much about the Buddhist scriptures especially the the archaeology archaeological the the evidians right and some kind of the Chinese in the ancient time but no own record
• 45:30 - 46:00 particular in the Buddhist tech. So maybe this tech can keep a long time. This is our team in the Taiwan and translates many kinds of Mahayana text and non text of the like
• 46:00 - 46:30 and so on. And this is also include a cartoon too. Okay. For the conclusions nowadays I have the select is about uh the the the teratana months in in Thailand. Nowadays before uh COVID 19 in COVID 19 before after 19 because of the co not
• 46:30 - 47:00 too much less about the the months but normally we will let us in the um Buddhist land period was in the period in the Buddhist period. So you can see the um mahan gaya and community ganiga and Chinese and Vietnam in the past of the puk in the
• 47:00 - 47:30 months in the months and about 28 thousand possibility about this but in the summer era no is quite not too much [Music] um and Chinese and Vietnamese is not too much. Yeah. And 2018 is
• 47:30 - 48:00 a increase. This is the general of the Thai populations. So it's very very small number of the Thai even in teram members in Thailand not too much. And this is a 2019 and this is a increase day by the a lots of
• 48:00 - 48:30 problem of the Buddhist in Thailand. So in my university particular from the IBS my my college um I think more than 90 92% belong to the foreigner student we have um I think more than three 300 student who studying international study college or IBS now but it's very very few uh
• 48:30 - 49:00 students in for the local local student. So but anyway in our university we we have the Mahayana traditions and terata tradition who studed together like Silas or University of the West here. So um my presentation just give you the the generals and some parts of the e the ancients of the mahayanism from the
• 49:00 - 49:30 evidians many many parts of the in Thailand from from Chinese lake. Thank you very much. [Applause] Thank you very for lecture very enlightening and lots of rare man inscription I'm fascinated with and so let's take some few question from the
• 49:30 - 50:00 audience uh you have raise your hand please and thank you for the wonderful presentation with really informative um information they would like to know and know why and how Mahis appeared from Thailand. So it's a very very uh it's very very difficult uh for
• 50:00 - 50:30 um how to answer. I think the um the factors uh I think because of the political change particular for the leader of the country like the king in the uh the subai period for example like the pari t or something like that the king of Thailand he more promote he more
• 50:30 - 51:00 propagate At the terawatanism you can find some kinds of the Mahayana in the Sukotai period. But after that after the king he converts from Mahayana to terata the the general people also follow him. something like that. I think this is a very big um issue, a big um factor to that
• 51:00 - 51:30 highabolism disappear from from Thailand. But I think they have another another causes. But anyway, um the the the the country leader like for example like a king or something like that when the was I I use example in in in China when they in China they support the talism
• 51:30 - 52:00 and tism and and communism right that Buddhism is a blow down when they believe in Buddhism, Buddhism increase and slow down something. So I I think this is the same in Thailand when the the contrary the what the religious they believe for example in Sri Lanka also some of you from Sri Lanka you know well
• 52:00 - 52:30 the country of Sri Lanka in the corona experience it's quite sustainable about the religions in in Sri Lanka some the country that the non non Buddhist nod So this is I think this is it's a cause to Mahayana Buddhism this fear from that but I think it's not whole of this fear because some kind of like many kinds of traditions
• 52:30 - 53:00 also exist in the daily life in Thai Thai [Music] society have questions [Music] Yeah, thank you for your very interesting uh lecture and I have only a a small question. Uh can you go back to the uh inscription?
• 53:00 - 53:30 Yes, that's quick in question. you uh in a slide you mentioned that okay and [Music] um yeah in the transcription transcription is um
• 53:30 - 54:00 yeah ah yes this is Uh this dual is uh two uh mahayana and uh stula. Yeah. Or stula mahay stula. Yeah. If if we uh
• 54:00 - 54:30 look at the he mentioned Yes. Yes. Yes. This is Mahayana compound. Compound compounded. Yes. Yeah. Both are compounded. Yeah. But but this is the one. So dual indic. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. I mean Yeah. Just Yeah.
• 54:30 - 55:00 In your opinion the same school or different school something like that. Yeah. And it is it is the the Yeah. The point is how how we can uh decide this uh decide this uh compound uh the one or a trooer or a Yeah. So I think we don't know too much about
• 55:00 - 55:30 in the ancient state because actually like you professor said it's like he mentions about sometime something like that. Yes. Yes, it's a it's a study in the time together something like that. Um that separate from his outer something like that. Yes.
• 55:30 - 56:00 Um we don't know too much about the situations in at that time but would like to you maybe can more give the answer about this like how about your interpretations about this? Yeah. According to this inscript Yeah. Uh we we can say yeah this is just at the one. Yeah the one to one compound that means yeah uh yeah yeah the translation is
• 56:00 - 56:30 uh maybe not all mahu mahayana and yeah very interesting. Yeah. Yeah. Very interesting. Both both uh schools uh were living were living your parent. Yeah. So um how about you? Yeah. Interesting because the
• 56:30 - 57:00 Dix two part right and so and yes. So if they have like oran without maybe this is a first country outside uh Silangan and India they study terawatai and together in Thailand but I think
• 57:00 - 57:30 when India he also find it one temple Mah and are living together. So he couldn't find a separate temple for Muay inside there along with separate but some guy said this is come from the aim from the the the sirangan school and they separates into India.
• 57:30 - 58:00 Yeah. So my my question have you encountered any like Indian provenent monk from 11 12th century centuries have they visited in the subur Thailand because I think he didn't go to I think he also visited yeah in my opinion I think maybe they got some some impact from like artista and some kind like
• 58:00 - 58:30 Mahayana tantra idea. Yeah. Trans transmit to to Thailand. So why Thailand become to the Tantra Buddhism in 1,000 years ago. David got the the the yeah impact from the the tantra monks but we don't have evidence to to to to uh how to say to talk about record to to
• 58:30 - 59:00 record yeah we we don't know just like suspect especially artistic he claimed that the best teacher is from Indonesia he is teacher all teacher because he learned from Indonesian deser that South Asian. Yes. Any other question? Yes.
• 59:00 - 59:30 Thank you very uh I have two questions. Yes. Question number one. uh we talking about Mahayana in Thailand. I just wondering can you give us the percentage of people who practicing mana in Thailand nowaday nowaday and
• 59:30 - 60:00 also are they belong to the non- Thai community or they do have you know the real Thai people practice in Mahana? Oh question number one. Okay. Um question. Yeah. Do you want me to wait for your answer and then go to the next one or do you want me to throw out everything? Okay. as as a first. Okay. Okay. In in in Thailand, we have the high local people who got a relations in the Vietnam
• 60:00 - 60:30 traditions and Chinese traditions in Mahayana in Mahayana cultures and have a lots of the monastery in Thailand and also the tactics very well. We we can say not justly in the meditations uh part but also include the education part too. They have many kinds of the
• 60:30 - 61:00 secondary schools and high school something like that to provide for the childrens who would like to be a Mahayana novice and I have many friends and many classmate who who do this work. I can share this information for you. Okay. Um next question is uh you mentioned about the effect of uh Hinduism and Buddhism in Thai. Yeah. But I haven't heard anything about the effect of the
• 61:00 - 61:30 vasayana. Yeah. Do we have any activity of that particular tradition in Thailand? um irrations we don't more know more about the ingredients you know many aboutana but now day we have a lots of student from the majayana tradition to Thailand and some of them yeah they are our lecturers in our college and someday they are a students who study now so uh and they have some scholar who
• 61:30 - 62:00 do and propagate the vatayana Buddhism in in in Thailand but in the layman part layman site not by the monastery site. Yes. Thank you sir. So one last question. Hi. How are you? Uh I a it's a quick
• 62:00 - 62:30 question. So in the perspective of the Thai Buddhism what's mean Mahayana any in the Thai Buddhism what's make Mahayana as Mahayana any chiropractor they mention so in like I show you the incriptions incriptions in Thailand is very clear about the the aim of Mahayana Buddhism in Thailand is encourage people to be a got enlightenment to be a Buddha like uh in
• 62:30 - 63:00 the seventh centuries in the in the scriptures it's already very very clear and also until now they still keep this idea even in teraces or in the Mahayana perspective in Thailand they still keep this yeah not not chance but one
• 63:00 - 63:30 I was wondering if you could speak more to um some of the different vignia traditions that we find historically in Thailand. You know, like for example, when we say that there are Mahayana and Stavida monks perhaps living side by side or separately like would they be actually practicing separately like separate vignia at that point or are these people under the same vignia same tradition but one has the ideal from one
• 63:30 - 64:00 has the ideal of of you know let's say Tabata Buddhism something along those lines do we have any evidence of like say for example like historically in China that they're following the Dharma Gutaka India traditionally and that seems to become now synonymous with Mahayana. So do we have any evidence of like Chinese and Vietnamese vineyard being practiced historically in Thailand? Um how do I say if
• 64:00 - 64:30 we follow from the evidence in Thailand? Um I have one places in mids of Thailand. They have one monastery is called what? There are some the archaeological evidence to show maybe they have the the Murasaki school in Thailand before, but justly some some scholar
• 64:30 - 65:00 they analyze some of like a material. I don't know how to say it's like a like a I don't know how to say it. a lamb leg lamp like a lamp is nowadays a show in the um national museum. And if you would like to know more about the Buddhist
• 65:00 - 65:30 food in Thailand, I think from in Chinese he more mentions about like school and so on and school something but after that how to disappear from Southeast Asia we don't know finally just kill the terat Buddhism in Thailand and other school how to disappear. We we don't know the the cause. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.
• 65:30 - 66:00 [Music] So once again heartful heartfelt thanks to I mean for coming all the way from Thailand just for this lecture he flew from Thailand. I'm very grateful to you and also I thank you everybody for attending in busy schedule. And I just want to announce uh next lecture. Uh so next lecture is on May 12
• 66:00 - 66:30 uh 2 p.m. Monday how to train your mind and transfer your life by penal hungaran poi. So in same room so please uh if you have time please attend that also and uh I just want to thank you everybody for attending and thank you very much. [Music]