Maha Thammaracha I

Maha Thammaracha I ( th, มหาธรรมราชาที่ ๑, ), born as Li Thai ( th, ลิไทย, ), was a king of the Sukhothai Kingdom, and the first Buddhist philosopher to write in the Thai language. He reigned from roughly 1347 until his death in 1368. Li Thai was the son of Loe Thai and the grandson of Ram Khamhaeng the Great.

The exact chronology of Li Thai's rise to the throne is unclear. Popular tradition names him as the fourth king of Sukhothai, but dynastic records seem to indicate that at least one other king (Ngua Nam Thum) ruled between Li Thai and his father, as well as the regent Phaya Sai Songkhram who ruled during Loe Thai's absence following the death of Ram Khamhaeng.

Li Thai served as Upparat (viceroy) during his father's reign from the city of Si Satchanalai, an important urban center of the early Sukhothai Kingdom.

Li Thai wrote the ''Traiphum Phra Ruang'' ("three worlds by Phra Ruang", Phra Ruang being the dynastic name of Li Thai's lineage), a religious and philosophical text describing the various worlds of Buddhist cosmology, and the way in which karma consigns living beings to one world or another. The Ten Virtues of a sovereign were set down as guiding principles for Thai monarchs. The ''Traiphum Phra Ruang'' would go on to serve as an important political document, being re-interpreted in response to changes in the domestic and international political scene.Chakrabongse, C., 1960, Lords of Life, London: Alvin Redman Limited

Li Thai also built Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok, including Phra Phutta Chinnarat, the biggest Buddha image in the northern territory of Siam.

According to George Cœdès, Li Thai's devotion to Buddhism and his religious works earned him the title Maha Thammaracha, meaning "great pious king". He constructed many Buddha footprints and restored Wat Mahathat of Sukhothai. He was succeeded by his son Lue Thai.

Government

Religion

As Li Thai admired Buddhism greatly, he used Buddhism as a diplomatic, educational, and governing tool, having also wrote the religious text Traiphum Phra Ruang during his time as a Upparat (viceroy), which has been used in teaching the citizens to do good and to abstain from doing evil, this book is then continued to be an important text that is used in Thailand's education up to the present date. Furthermore, Lithai has also divide the Buddist priests into two sections, the Kamawasri which focuses on teaching Buddhism to the general populations and on studying the Pra Trai Pidok ( th, พระไตรปิฎก), and the Aranyawasri which focuses on seeking enlightenment, in order for the priest to both enrichen Buddhism and spread teachings at the same time.

In fostering educations through religion, Lithai has allow studying of Bhuddist diciplines and for Brahmin to study various liberal arts within the vicinity of the royal palace.

Lithai has spread the teaching of Buddhism through many methods, primarily in the form of Traiphum Phra Ruang text, but also through the construction of temples and famousely in becoming a priest himeself during the year 1362, serving as an example for the citizens to follow. He actively advocate for the citizens to visits temples to listen to teachings and perform acts of charity. In spreading Bhuddism to other states, Lithai send priests to their cities to teach Buddhism, and also invite other cities to come and pay respect at the various religious buildings within Sukhothai Kingdom. He has also invited a Buddhist Patriach from Lanka to enrich Buddhism in Sukhothai, having also repair many temples and build many Buddha statues such as Prahphuddachinnasri.

Lithai having dedicated himself in the enrichment of Buddhism all his life, has been given the titile of a Thammaracha, meaning a king who grants satisfaction through Dharma.

Ancestry

Sources

* Jackson, Peter. 'Re-Interpreting the Traiphuum Phra Ruang' in ''Buddhist Trends in Southeast Asia''. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. 1993. .

See also

*Sukhothai kingdom

1374 deaths
Rulers of Sukhothai
Year of birth unknown
14th-century monarchs in Asia
Thai princes
14th-century Thai people

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