Buddhism in Northern Thailand

The opening content provides basic information on religions in Thailand and introduces the institutional setting of Buddhism in the country. It then presents the structure of the Thai Sangha, including monastic administration, ecclesiastical offices, regional organization, disciplinary procedures, and the role of Buddhist institutions in sustaining moral and social order. The next major section examines the Buddhist concept of kingship. It explains the ruler’s role through Buddhist ethical principles, especially righteousness, generosity, moral discipline, patience, non-violence, and concern for public welfare. This section also discusses the relationship between the Thai king and Buddhism, presenting kingship as a moral institution closely tied to the protection and promotion of the Buddhist tradition. The book then turns to Northern Thailand’s Buddhist art and heritage. It discusses old architecture and sculpture, with particular attention to Haripuñjaya and Lanna forms, Buddhist images, stupas, temple remains, and artistic continuity. Later sections address the golden age of Buddhist literature in Lanna Thai, palm-leaf manuscripts, traditional sermons, the Lanna Thai kingdom and its religion, popular supernatural beliefs among Northern Thai peasants, Buddhist education for youth, and reflections on self-cultivation.