BUDDHISM AND POLITICAL POWER IN CONTEMPORARY THAILAND: FROM THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE CATHOLICISM’S INFLUENCE
Keywords:
Religion, Politics, Power, Buddhism, ThailandAbstract
This essay aims to explore the relation between Buddhism and political power in Thailand, as well as the influence of Catholicism on the topic. The exploratory research triangulated data provided by field research, specialized interviews and bibliographic research. Here we understand that Theravada Buddhism, also known as "Buddhism of the Elders", played
a significant role in the development of Thai political ideas and governmental institutions. Since 1932 the Thai constitutional monarchy was instrumental in maintaining the nation's political continuity. Religion and politics have often had a relationship of interdependence: on the one hand, Buddhism has been characterised as a source of legitimation for temporal power, and on the other, political power has been responsible for supporting and developing religion. This relationship, even undergoing changes over the years with influence of other religions like Catholicism, continues to this day and constitutes a case to be studied, as an example of the presence of Religion and the continuity of its interaction with the existing political systems.
References
ABBOT, Low Moffat (1961). Mongkut the King of Siam. New York: Cornell
University.
APHORNSUVAN, Thanet (2008). Buddhist Cosmology and the Genesis of Thai
Political Discourse. In YUSUF, I. & ATILGAN C.. Religion and Democracy in
Thailand. Bangkok: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung e. V., 14-34.
BAKER, Chris; PHONGPAICHIT, Pasuk. (2005) A History of Thailand. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press,1st Ed..
______. . (2017) A History of Thailand. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 3rd
Ed
BBC News (2018a). Thailand's constitution: New era, new uncertainties, publicado
em bbc.com [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39499485]. Disponibilidade:
/05/2018.
______. (2018b). Thailand profile–timeline, publicado em bbc.com
[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15641745]. Disponibilidade: 06/05/2018.
BECHERT, Heinz (2007). Il Buddhismo Contemporaneo in Srilanka e nel Sud-Est
Asiatico. In FILORAMO, Giovanni. Buddhismo. Roma: Laterza, 286-321.
BECKFORT, James A. (2010). The Return of Public Religion? A Critical Assessment
of a Popular Claim. Nordic Journal of Religion and Society, 23 (2): 121-136.
BORIHARNWANAKET, Sujin (2005). A Survey of Paramatha Dhammas. Bangkok:
Dhamma Study and Support Foundation.
BRESSAN, Luigi (1998). King Chulalongkorn and Pope Leo XIII. Bangkok:
Assumption Printing Press.
BRESSAN, Luigi; SNITHIES, M., (2006). Thai-Vatican Relations in the Twentieth
Century. Bangkok: Apostolic Nunciature in Bangkok.
BUNARUNRAKSA, S.S. (2007). Monseigneur Jean Baptist Pallegoix (1805-1862)
Imprimeur et Ecrivain. Bangkok: Assumption Printing Press.
BUSINESS ORGANIZATION OF THE TEACHER’S COUNCIL OF THAILAND
(1962). King Chulalongkorn, Personal Letters on the Visit to Europe 1897 to the
Queen Regent. Bangkok, N. 24.
CARLETTI, Anna; FERREIRA, Marcos Alan S. V. (2018). Religião No Ensino e na
Pesquisa Em Relações Internacionais Do Brasil. Meridiano 47 – Journal of Global
Studies, 19.
DARLING, F.C. (1962). Modern Politics in Thailand. The Review of Politics, 24 (2):
-82.
ECKEL, M.D. (2003). Understanding Budhism. London: Duncan Baird Publishers.
EL PAÍS INTERNACIONAL (2016) Morre Bhumibol, rei da Tailândia durante 70 anos e
monarca mais longevo do mundo, publicado em brasil.elpais.com
[https://brasil.elpais.com/brasil/2016/10/13/internacional/1476353609_855759.html].
Disponibilidade: 06/05/2018
EOWSEEWONG, Nidhi (2000). The Bangkok History in Ayutthaya Chronicles.
Bangkok: Matichon Press.
FILORAMO, Giovanni (2007). Buddhismo. Roma: Laterza.
KNOX, Geoffrey, Ed. (2002). Religion and Public Policy at the UN: A Religious
Counts Report. Washington: Mount Vermont Printing Company.
HAYNES, Jeffrey (2011). Religion, Politics and International Relations: selected
essays. New York: Routledge.
ISHII, Y. (1986). Sangha, State and Society: Thai Buddhism in History. Honolulu:
University of Hawaii Press.
JACKON, P.A. (1997). Withering Centre, Flourishing Margin, in Political Change
in Thailand: Democracy and Participation. London: Kevin Hewison.
JORY, P. (2002). The Vessantara Jataka, Barami and the Boddisatta-Kings: The
Origin and Spread of a Thai Concept of Power. Hertfort (NC): Crossroads Press.
KEYES, C.F. (1989). Buddhist Kingdom as Modern Nation-State. Bangkok:
Editions Duang Kamol.
KEYES, C.F.; KEYES, E. J.; HAFNER, A. (2018). Thailand, publicado em
Enciclopædia Britannica.com [https://www.britannica.com/place/Thailand].
Disponibilidade: 06/05/2018.
LANDON, M. (1944). Anna and the King of Siam. New York: John Day Company.
LAUNAY, Adrien Charles (1896). Siam et les Missionaires Français. Paris: Alfred
Mame et fils.
MACKINNON, Ian (2008). Court rules Thai prime minister must resign over
cookery show, publicado em: The guardian International Edition. Tue 9 Sep 2008.
[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/sep/09/thailand1]. Disponibilidade:
/05/2018.
McCARGO, D. (2008). Buddhist Democracy on Trial: Thailand’s Southern Conflict. In
YUSUF, I & ATILGAN C. Religion and Democracy in Thailand. Bangkok: Konrad
Adenauer Stiftung e. V., 62-79.
PALLEGOIX, J.B. (1853). Mémoire sur la Mission de Siam. Paris: Beaune
Blondeau-Dejussieu.
PUNTARIGVIVAT, Tavivat (2004). 200 Years After King Mongkut’s Birth: A
Review of Reform Movements in Thai Buddhism, publicado em wbuniversity.org/research [http://thaihealingalliance.com/wpcontent/uploads/Reform_Movements_in_Thai_Buddhism.pdf]. Disponibilidade:
/05/2018.
RAVERI M. (1999). Le vie di liberazione e di immortalità: India e Estremo Oriente. In
FILORAMO, G.; MASSENZIO, M.; RAVERI, M.; SCARPI, P. Manuale di Storia
delle Religioni. Roma: Laterza.
SANITSUDA, Ekachai (1998). Keeping the Faith. Bangkok: Bangkok Post.
SMITH, H. (1991). The World’s Religions. New York: Harper Collins.
SNYDER, Jack. (2011). Religion and International Relations Theory. New York:
Columbia Univ. Press.
STUART-FOX, M. (2006). Buddhism and Politics in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar
and Thailand. Paper presented at the Cambodian, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand
Summer School, Asia Pacific Week.
SUKSAMRAN, Somboon (1977). Political Buddhism in Southeast Asia,The Role of
the Sangha in the Modernization of Thailand. London: C. Hurst & Company.
______. (1982). Buddhism and Politics in Thailand. Singapore: Institute of Southeast
Asian Studies.
______. (1993). Buddhism and Political Legitimacy. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn
University Printing.
TAMBIAH, S.J. (1976). World Conqueror, World Renouncer. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
THAILAND (1989) Acts on the Administration of the Buddhist Order of Sangha.
Bangkok: Mahamakuta Educational Council/ Buddhist University.
______. (2007). Constituition Of The Kingdom Of Thailand B.E. 2550.. Bangkok:
Bureau of Technical and International Cooperation, Secretariat General of the
Administrative Court.
YUSUF, I.; ATILGAN, C. (2008). Religion and Democracy in Thailand. Bangkok:
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung e. V.
ZAGO, M. (1985). Buddhismo e Cristianesimo in Dialogo, Situazioni, Rapporti,
Convergenze. Roma: Città Nuova.
Entrevistas
Prof. Dr. Chainarong Monthienvichienchai - President of Saint John’s University,
Bangkok.
Prof. Dr. Kirti Bunchua - Fellow of Royal Academy of Thailand, President Emeritus
ACRP/WCRP International, Dean Ph.D. Philosophy & Ethics Suan Sunandha Rajabhat
University, Bangkok.
Rev. Monge Phra Bunchuay Dujai - Dean of the Chiang Mai Buddhist University.
Chiang Mai.
Sra. Prateep Ungsongtham-Hata – Ex-Senadora da Tailândia, Presidente da Duang
Prateep Foundation, Bangkok.
