The Lankavamsa in Siam and Siamvamsa in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This article presents historical relationship of Buddhism between Thailand (Siam) and Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in the forms of continuity, development and revival of Buddhism in both countries. Each country has played a role of transmitter and receiver in different time and period. As the results, Buddhism has been firmly established in both countries until today. Thailand or Siam has been accepted and practiced Lankavamsa Buddhism since 1257 AD and continued to flourish especially in Nakhon Si-Thammarat. King Ramkhamheang the Great had royally invited Sanghas (Buddhist monks) and scholars from Nakhon Si Thammarat to propagate Lankavamsa Buddhism in Sukhothai. From there, it had grew strength and spread to many cities. In the period of King Borommakot of Ayutthaya Kingdom which was the same time as King Srivijayarajasingha reigned Sri Lanka. Buddhism in Sri Lanka was on a critical stage of decline. He had sent ambassadors to Ayutthaya to invite Siamese Sanghas on mission to revive Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Siam had played a vital role in
reviving Buddhism in Sri Lanka by sending Buddhist missionaries headed by Phra Upali Thera in the reign of King Kirti Sirirajasingha who was the successor of the late King Srivijayarajasingha, resulting in revival and prosperity of Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the name of Siamvamsa Sect until the present