Thread on Brahmins of Thailand

Pictures of Rajguru Phra Guru Bidhi Sri Visudhigun, Thai Brahmin of Vasistha gotra meeting Pujya Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal and His Holiness Pujya Shri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal.

Brāhmaṇa-s of Thailand today are Royal Purohits of the House of Chakri of Thailand. They represent two sects of Vaiṣṇava and Shaivas. They have 3 temples in Bangkok, one of Lord Shiva one of Lord Gaṇeśa & of Lord Nārāyaṇa.

See the temple in the pictures– and the dieties!

In Thailand, Hinduism is considered as essential to the monarchy and received with royal favor. 1361 CE inscription of king Dharmarāja I mentions king's knowledge of Vedas & Astronomy. As late as 1510 CE, both Hinduism & Buddhism are to be exalted.

The ceremony of initiation into priesthood is still performed, known as Pvaj Brat. In the liturgical ritual texts of Thai Brahmaṇa-s there are frequent mentions to the Trai Beda & śāstra-s.

A Thai Brahmin in 1821 said he was 5th in descent from his ancestor who came from the Island of Ramiseram. Some say their ancestors came from Benares. Head Priest at Phenompheneh said his ancestors came from Mount Kailasha.

They have manuscripts in Tamil and Sanskrit. Scholars estimate the Tamil manuscripts to be from the Pāṇḍyan Period. Middle of 13th century. Some manuscripts contain corrupt Sanskrit. Rest are all in Siamese language.