The religion movement of King Rama IV.

Abstract

This article attempts to study religious movement of King Rama IV. The method of study used to analyze and synthesize from article and relative document. The study found that the religious movement of King Rama IV had two implication. The first was religious reform and the second was external political factors. Since the absolute monarchy around the world at that time was severely threatened by modern democratic ideas.  The Reformation principle is to make religion without superstition as a direct result of rationalism and science but the religion used as a tool for political legitimacy, namely, the newly established Buddhism—Dhammayutika Nikaya used as a foundation for Royal Nationalist Ideology. Important religious literature, such as Pathomsombodhikatha and Vessantara-Jataka etc. are primarily instrumental in the interpretation of the monarch's characteristics. Religious movement of Dhammayutika Nikaya is driven from central to region bases on teaching primarily on the virtues of the Monarchy. The Ideology of Royal Nationalism are deeply rooted in Thai society, coupled with the upbringing of Buddhism of the monarchy.