Buddhism and State Power: An Analysis of the Relationship Between Religious Institutions and Thai Politics
Keywords:
Buddhism, Thai politics, Sangha, Nationalism, Monastic activism, State power, Digital religionAbstract
This essay examines the enduring and evolving relationship between Buddhism and state power in Thailand, highlighting the ways in which religious authority and political institutions have shaped one another from early kingship to the digital age. It argues that Buddhism has long served as a source of political legitimacy, national identity, and social cohesion, while the state has continually regulated and instrumentalized the Sangha to reinforce its authority. The discussion traces historical models of Buddhist kingship, the modernization and bureaucratization of the Sangha, the rise of Buddhist nationalism, and the diverse forms of monastic political engagement. It also explores the transformative impact of digital technologies, which have decentralized religious influence and opened new arenas for Buddhist activism and ideological contestation. Overall, the essay demonstrates that Buddhism in Thailand is not merely a religious tradition but a dynamic sociopolitical force deeply embedded in the construction and negotiation of state power.
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