THE ROLE OF ECCLESIASTICAL ORDER UNDER PHRA RAJA KHANA IN THAILAND

Abstract

Thananukrom or Ecclesiastical Order are titles that the King does not directly appoint. But most of them are recruited from individual figures by high ranking monks or Raja Khana and appoint directly by themselves. Thananukrom can be divided according to the method of conferring rank-fans into 2 types, namely the 1^st method, bestowed by His Majesty the King himself. (By the King himself or by His Majesty's representative) The second method the rank-fan is received from Phra Raja Khana. Most of Thananukrom are obtained by the second method.

There are 3 levels of Thananukrom under  Phra Raja Khana at the common rank, namely Phra Palad, Phra Samuh and Phra Bai Dika. From the high ranking Phra Raja Khana up to Somdej Phra Raja, there will be the word Phra Kru in front of the name, such as Phra Kru Palad, Phra Kru Sangkarak, Phra Kru Samu, Phra Khru Bai Dika, etc., which is the roles within the scope of Administering the affairs of the Sangha in all 6 areas, consisting of administration, propagation, educational welfare, public welfare, religious education and monastery construction which is the scope of the Sangha Administration according to the Sangha Act and must be within the scope of the Dharma and Vinaya and general law. Most of the Thananukrom ranks are the monks who are appointed to fulfill the tasks of the prelates who entrust them to the position. Although it is a position that is not directly conferred by the King, it is considered a network that has been used to serve the Sangha's work to be in good order.