Abstract:
Objectives of this documentary research are (1) to study King Rama IV's motive for his reformation of the Thai Sangha and (2) to study and analyze roles, influences and impacts that Dhammayuttika has on the Thai Sangha. Results show that the motive for the reformation of the Thai Sangha in the early Ratanakosin period originated from two factors. Firstly, monks in that period seriously lacked monastic disciplines. They violated both major and minor monastic rules. Moreover, they simply followed the ācinnakappika practices, i.e. following preceptors' words despite their inaccuracy. Evidence for this was clearly found in Royal Decrees, Sangha Laws, Annals, etc. Secondly, monks could not study the Tipitaka properly. Evidence shows that during the war, the Sangha administration became weak. Monks did not have an opportunity to study the Pali Canon properly. Many texts were destroyed and available texts were written in old alphabets such as Khmer. Preceptors did not take care of their co-resident pupils, and the latter did not serve the former either. Thus,
most monks did not know even basic monastic practices such as Bindu and Paccavekkhana. Meanwhile, theistic beliefs from Hinduism and superstition became influential. Regarding the consequences of the reformation of King Mongkut, it can be concluded that there were corrections, improvements, and a restoration of the Thai sangha, and many new Buddhist customs were initiated by him to enhance the Budhsit traditions and culture. However, both positive and negative criticisms ensued. The study shows that most negative criticisms stemmed from those who did not study Mongkuts social contexts well enough to judge him. It is recommended that a further study be conducted to find out about Vipassanā practice from the Sukhothai period up until the early Ratanakosin period when the Sangha still suffered enormously from impacts of war time."