STUPA-MUSEUM AND THE DISSEMINATION OF BUDDHIST DHAMMA IN THE REIGN OF KING BHUMIBOL

Abstract

The construction of stupas for the propagation of Dhamma became significant since the Great Parinirvāṇa of the Buddha. After 1974, King Rama IX became involved in the construction of stupa-museums for a number of noble monks and wanted their bone remains and utensils to be kept at the same place. This study was aimed at interpreting the construction of these stupa-museums regarding Dhamma dissemination. The conceptual framework lies in the notion that the following components: the noble monks’ personal utensils exhibited, the construction venues, myths, legends, and biographies formed as Dhamma dissemination. The study revealed that besides the cremation ceremony participated by King Rama IX, the placement of the utensils and bone remains, and the opening ceremony of the stupas; The components mentioned are that illustrate their Dhamma practices in their Dhutanga paths, showing that Dhamma practice leads to attaining an Arahanta.