The Relationship between the Palace and the Buddhist temples in Rattanakosin Period: Study on Wat Rajadhivas Vihara.

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to study the relationship between the Palace and the Buddhist temples: a case of close relationship between the Palace and Wat Rajadhivas Vihara with the purpose of creating knowledge for Thai lifelong learning, especially for Thai youth and Thai children, and creating positive attitude on Nationalism, Buddhism and Monarchy of Thai people. The findings of the research disclosed that the relationship between the Palace (the Kings and the Royalty of Chakri Dynasty) and Buddhist temples in Thailand was started by the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty in Rattanakosin Period and it lasts till nowadays. The Palace has had close relationship with the Buddhist temples established or regarded by the Kings to be the royal temples. Among 290 royal temples on 2008 A.D., the Palace has closer relationship with 8 royal temples regarded as the “Temple of King Rama”. Moreover, there are 16 royal temples where the Chakri Kings present the annual royal Kathin by themselves or by their representatives, and Wat Rajadhivas Vihara is one of those sixteen royal monasteries. In addition, Wat Rajadhivas Vihara used to be served as the monk residence of King Rama II with his brother and King Rama IV. For this reason, King Rama IV entitled “Wat Rajadhivas Vihara” to this royal temple. Wat Rajadhivas Vihara has always been restored under royal patronage, and served as the royal shrine, where the royal remains and ashes of 2 King Rama V’s Queens together with some royalty have been enshrined into the base of Buddha Images, as same as the 8 Temples of King Rama.