NAKHON PATHOM : THE CENTER OF THARAVADA BUDDHISM IN THE DVARAVATI KINGDOM

Abstract

 In the geography and Buddhist culture that appears in different regions of Thailand today reflects the importance of Buddhism to the way of life of the people living in this area for a long time The development of Buddhism came from the cultural exchange that took place between different groups of people living together. which is not only a communication in terms of trade only but also adopting other cultures

            Buddhism did not originate in Thailand. but a religion that entered Thailand from external sources It was found that Buddhism propagated into the land of Suvarnabhumi since the 3rd Buddhist century. According to evidence from academic documents and archaeological data, it was found that there are two main sects, namely Theravada sect. and Mahayana Sect Both of these sects were born in India after the Buddha passed away. When Buddhism split into two such sects causing each sect to spread out to different countries for Buddhism that entered the territory of Siam or Thailand today

            Dvaravati period, Buddhism flourished during the 11th - 16th Buddhist centuries. It is assumed that the center of the Dvaravati Kingdom should be in the present-day provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, and Suphan Buri, where there are important Buddhist archaeological evidences such as Thammachak and Kwang Bob, Sao Sema. Stone, white stone Buddha image, Phra Pathom Chedi, Chulaprathon Chedi, etc.

            When considering geographical features Architectural and artistic features from archeological evidence, including the number of outstanding artefacts found in ancient Nakhon Pathom, such as the Thammachak stone, make scholars They assumed that ancient Nakhon Pathom was the center of Dvaravati state and was probably the most important center of Buddhism in the Dvaravati civilization.