Brahmans of Thailand

Description

There is a community in Thailand which calls itself Brahmana. It is a tribute to its vitality that it has maintained its separate identity in the midst of an overwhelmingly Buddhist society. It is different from the other inhabitants of the country in dress, customs, manners, traditions and lifestyle. It has its own temples, its own system of worship, its own festivals, its own rituals and its own sacred texts. It has a long tradition of its Rajagurus and Mahārājagurus. It has its own system of initiation and a well- defined process of appointment to the post of Rajaguru/Mahārājguru. It has a vital role to play in ceremonies that concern the monarchy like the coronation of the king, and the ceremonies like marriage that concern the common people. The present work is the first attempt of its kind in presenting an authentic account of that community, its authenticity ensured by its being based on personal