Page 59 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

Buddhism

King of Thailand is Buddhist, and also the Upholder of all religion, providing
patronage to not only Buddhism, but to all other religions in the kingdom. Having the
profound faith in Buddhism which is the national religion, His Majesty the king has done
many royal activities to maintain both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Those activities
can be described as follows;

The Royal Ordination

One of the most important royal tradition for Thai King is being ordained as a
Buddhist monk. Some kings were ordained before their reign, such as Somdet Phra Maha
Dhammaraja I (King Lithai) of Sukhothai, King Songdham of Ayutthaya, King Rama II and King
Rama IV. Some, on the other hand, were ordained after their reign, like the case of His Majesty
the King, the current king of Thailand -- being ordained on October 22, 1956 by the Supreme
Patriarch Kromma Luang Vajirananavong as his preceptor, and staying at Wat Bavornnives for
15 days.

1 “Bhumibalo Bhikkhu” His Majesty the
King was ordained in 1956.
2 His Majesty the King in the monkhood,
receiving alms

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