พุทธศาสนากับแนวความคิดทางการเมือง ในรัชสมัยพระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก (พ.ศ. 2325-2352) / สายชล วรรณรัตน์ = Buddhism and political thoughts in the region of King Rama I (1782-1809) / Saichon Wannarat
In an attempt to establish political stability, one of the most important programs which the Court of King Rama I had set forth, was to form a new state ideology which went in hands with social environment at the time, especially the political situation. This was meant for an effective order and social control. This thesis aims at studying principles of Buddhism which had been emphasized as state ideology in the reign of King Rama I. It will consider social changes prior to and around the beginning of the Rattanakosin period which had strong impact on Buddhist and political thinkings at the time. Political situation paved a way for the establishment of state ideology according to Buddhist thought and created the essence of such ideology for social organization within the state. From the study, it has been discovered that the socio-economic changes during the late Ayudhya time resulted in the rise of certain people as bourgeoisie. This bourgeoisie had become more humanistic and rationalistic in their thinking. Nevertheless, because of the changes the nai and the phrai joined together in violating social rules and regulations creating social unrest. Those who could not get protection from existing social order, sought refuge in super-natural powers. Buddhism with the emphasis of magical and animistic beliefs, then, became highly influential. The upper class, seriously injured by their own political conflicts, was not in the position to form any religious principle for the keeping of social order or for the use as state ideology. In the Thonburi period, King Taksin had attempted to set up the idea of ideal king as supreme ruler along Buddhist line. However, politico-ideological differences had persisted throughout his reign. In the Rattanakosin period, it is clear from the evidence that the court of King Rama I consisted of political leaders who were becoming more bourgeoisie. They tried to establish humanistic Buddhist principles as state ideology. This ideology centers around the concept of king as the Bodhisattava who carries the task of the Dhamikarajadhiraja. His responsibility, secular as well as religious, is for the preservation of the Dhamma. This means that his subjects will have a more profound understanding of Buddhism and can lead their lives rightly along the Dhamma and eventually reach the Nibbana, the ultimate goal. If the Dhamikaraja-dhiraja acts for the benefits of his subjects, the people will be grateful to him, loyally and obediently carrying out their duty according to their social status.
