Buddhism in Thailand | History

Buddhism in Thailand

The historical origins of Buddhism in the part of mainland Southeast Asia known today as Thailand are obscure: According to popular Thai tradition, Buddhism was propagated in the region south of present-day Bangkok by the monks Sona and Uttara, who were sent to Suvaṇṇabhūmi (the golden land) by the Mauryan king Aśoka in the 3rd century B.C.E. According to this view, Theravāda Buddhism has dominated

Buddhism in Thailand

Buddhism in Thailand is largely of the Theravāda school, which is followed by 94.6% of the population. Buddhism in Thailand has also become integrated with folk religion. Buddhist temples in Thailand are characterized by tall golden stūpas, and the Buddhist architecture of Thailand is similar to that in other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Cambodia and Laos, with which Thailand shares cultural and historical heritage.