Buddhism’s Civilizational Bond: India & Thailand

India and Thailand, two nations separated by geography but united by culture, have enjoyed a civilizational relationship rooted in the spiritual and philosophical teachings of Buddhism. The enduring legacy of Gautama Buddha, born in India in the 6th century BCE, continues to influence Thai society, politics, art, and tradition even today.

This article offers a detailed exploration of the ancient and modern ties between India and Thailand, focusing on how Buddhism served as the spiritual bridge linking both civilizations across centuries.

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Origins of Buddhism in India

Buddhism originated in India during the 6th century BCE, with Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. His teachings, rooted in non-violence, compassion, detachment, and the Eightfold Path, rapidly spread across the Indian subcontinent during the Mauryan Empire, especially under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE).

Ashoka’s role in Buddhist expansion was pivotal—he dispatched missionaries across Asia, including Southeast Asia, to spread the teachings of the Buddha.

Transmission of Buddhism to Southeast Asia

Thailand’s interaction with Buddhism can be traced back to the 3rd century BCE, when Buddhist missionaries, possibly sent by Ashoka, traveled to the regions now known as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.

Key Highlights:

• The earliest form of Buddhism introduced to Southeast Asia was Theravāda Buddhism.
• The spread was not through conquest, but through trade, pilgrimage routes, and peaceful cultural exchange.
• Indian monks, scholars, and merchants were vital in this transmission.

Ancient Indian Cultural and Religious Influence on Thailand

1. Theravāda Buddhism as the National Faith

Theravāda Buddhism remains the state religion of Thailand, practiced by over 93% of the population. This school of Buddhism traces its scriptures to the Pali Canon, which was compiled in India and Sri Lanka.

Many of Thailand’s spiritual customs, monastic codes, and rituals are similar to those found in ancient Indian Buddhism.

2. Sanskrit and Pali in Thai Culture

• Thai inscriptions, especially from the Sukhothai period (13th century CE), reveal heavy usage of Sanskrit and Pali, the classical languages of India.
• Even modern Thai retains vocabulary borrowed from Sanskrit and Pali—terms like “Dhamma” (Dharma), “Sangha”, “Anatta” (Anātman) come directly from Indian Buddhist lexicon.

3. Indian Epics and Art Influence

• Thai versions of Indian epics, such as the Ramayana (called Ramakien in Thailand), have been adapted with local elements.
• Temple architecture, murals, and sculpture styles in Thailand often reflect Gupta and Amaravati art forms of India.

India–Thailand: The Spiritual Exchange Continues

1. Pilgrimage Tourism

Thousands of Thai Buddhists travel annually to India to visit the Four Holy Buddhist Sites:

• Lumbini (birthplace, now in Nepal)
• Bodh Gaya (enlightenment)
• Sarnath (first sermon)
• Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana)

The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a deeply revered destination for Thai pilgrims.

2. Modern Buddhist Diplomacy

• India and Thailand have engaged in regular cultural exchanges through academic seminars, festivals, and temple construction.
• The India-ASEAN cultural agenda includes the revival of the ancient Nalanda University and Buddhist circuit tourism, in which Thailand plays an active role.

3. Royal Patronage and Monastic Exchange

• The Thai royal family has historically supported Buddhist projects in India, such as restoring temples and sponsoring Thai monks for Indian studies.
• Thai forest monks often undergo Vipassana meditation training in India, while Indian monks study in Bangkok’s Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, a leading Buddhist monastic institution.

Buddhist Literature and Scriptural Ties

• The Tipitaka (Pali Canon), which is the doctrinal foundation of Theravāda Buddhism, was first preserved orally in India and then written in Sri Lanka in the 1st century BCE. Thai monastics follow these very texts.
• India’s ancient Buddhist texts have been translated and preserved in Thai script, showing the intellectual legacy shared between the two.

Cultural Continuity Beyond Religion

Though rooted in Buddhism, India’s influence on Thailand extends to:

• Calendars (Thai solar calendar has Indic origins)
• Royal rituals
• Court traditions (Indian influence is evident in Thai coronation ceremonies and royal literature)

The bond is not one-sided; Thailand has contributed significantly to preserving and revitalizing ancient Buddhist practices, some of which faded in India over centuries.

Shared Legacy in the Modern World

In today’s geopolitical and cultural scenario:

• India and Thailand are part of BIMSTEC and ASEAN-India initiatives, many of which promote shared heritage.
• Buddhist diplomacy has emerged as a soft power tool—strengthening ties through shared spiritual roots.

Examples:

• Buddha relics from India have been sent to Thailand as a mark of friendship.
• Joint archaeological cooperation and cultural restoration projects continue across Buddhist sites.

Explore more: Top Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites in India

✍️ Conclusion

The relationship between India and Thailand is not merely diplomatic—it is deeply civilizational. Through Buddhism, these two nations have nurtured a sacred bond that has withstood the test of time. From scriptures and sculpture to meditation and moral code, the spiritual threads that connect India and Thailand are profound and everlasting.

As India revives its ancient Buddhist heritage and Thailand continues to uphold it with grace, the two countries move forward, united by their shared spiritual ancestry and mutual respect.