The First Chapter of Thai Theravada Bhikkhuni Discourses

Abstract

                  Practically in Thai Theravada society, only bhikkhu order has been established legitimately, although the Buddha states that Buddhism must be patronized by the fourfold Buddhists: namely bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen. There were at least two attempts to restore Theravada bhikkhuni ordination in Thailand. The first attempt, recorded in 1928, failed. The controversy erupted fervently again in 2001 when Chatsumarn Kabilsingh went for her ordination in Sri Lanka and claimed for being the first Theravada bhikkhuni of Thailand. This paper aims to analyse the discourses and power of the first attempt. The critical dis-course analysis based on the concept of discourse by Michel Foucault is employed in this study. The study reveals that the Thai Theravada bhikkhuni discourses emerged within 3 frames of knowledge namely Buddhism, the authority of the state and traditional and culture with 8 kinds of power that were dispersed in Siam society.