Thammayut
Quick Summary
The Thammayut is a Buddhist order in Thailand established by King Mongkut (Rama IV) during his time as a monk. Concerned by superstitious practices that had become associated with core Theravada teachings, Mongkut founded this new sect to purify Buddhist practice. The Thammayut order is known for being the smaller and more ascetic of the two main sections of the Thai Buddhist sangha. It prescribes minimum periods of three months to a year for men joining a monastery, differing from the Mahasanghikas, who do not specify a duration.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- Mongkut
…developed gradually grew into the Thammayut order, which to the present day is at the intellectual centre of Thai Buddhism. Mongkut’s friends in the 1840s included many leading princes and nobles who similarly were excited by the West. Convinced of the necessity of accommodation with the West, they took the…
Read More…developed gradually grew into the Thammayut order, which to the present day is at the intellectual centre of Thai Buddhism. Mongkut’s friends in the 1840s included many leading princes and nobles who similarly were excited by the West. Convinced of the necessity of accommodation with the West, they took the…
Read More 
ThailandMongkut and the opening of Siam to the WestThis new sect became the Thammayut order that later would dominate the Thai monkhood. Although Mongkut was an absolute monarch, he began to break down the age-old tradition of treating the king as a god. He traveled widely throughout his kingdom, inquiring about the conditions of his subjects. He also…
Read MoreThis new sect became the Thammayut order that later would dominate the Thai monkhood. Although Mongkut was an absolute monarch, he began to break down the age-old tradition of treating the king as a god. He traveled widely throughout his kingdom, inquiring about the conditions of his subjects. He also…
Read More
