Page 13 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

Chapter 1

The Origin of Religions

in the Kingdom of Thailand

From ancient times, Thailand has generously allowed people to freely choose their
own religions. In prehistoric times, people were animists, believing in spiritual or supernatural
practices. Then, about 200 years before the Christian era, and after the third revision of the
Tripitaka, there are evidences showing that King Ashoka the Great sent Buddhist emissaries to
propagate Buddhism in as many as 9 regions, including Suvarnabhumi, believed to be the area
of Southeast Asia that encompasses present-day Thailand. Finally, there is evidence that clearly
demonstrates the establishment of Buddhism in the Kingdom since the Dvaravati period which
remains the main religion today.

Contemporary with Buddhism, evidence shows that Brahmin-Hinduism was
propagated and flourished along the same timelines. Its ancient beliefs were integrated with that
of Buddhism. Later on, other religions such as Islam, Christianity and Sikhism arrived and has
been continued and practiced by a group of people in Thailand as seen today.

Mural Painting, depicting a scene from Lord Buddha's Life
Lord Buddha descending from Tavatimsa Heaven
Buddhaisawan Chapel, National Museum, Bangkok
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