BUDDHISM IN THE LAND OF SUVARNABHUMMI

Abstract

        This academic article aimed to study 1) the history and background of the Suvarnabhumi region, 2) the location and traces of Buddhism in the land of the Suvarnabhumi region, and 3) the consistency of Buddhism with history in the Suvarnabhumi region. After judging the Dharma in the 3rd Council at Asokaram, Pataliputra, and Magadha, 9 sermons were sent to spread religion to nine different lands. The 8th line had Buddhist monks named Utara Thera and Sona Thera who traveled from the Jambudvīpa (India) to spread Buddhism in the Suvarnabhumi region. The word "Suvarnabhumi" has different definitions and meanings for each scholar. Some scholars say this land is rich in gold ore, wildlife, and even Southeast Asian regions, including Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, which were prosperous in Buddhism in ancient times. There were also some countries where Buddhism was ended because of the acceptance of new religions. The country where the center of Suvarnabhumi is located is still unclear. However, the mentioned countries all accept the same culture and respect Theravada Buddhism. Therefore, it is not surprising that each country will honor Buddhism in its own land to create a history of that country.