抄録
A tradition of the royal Thai patronage of the Buddhist Sangha seems to have already existed in Sukhothai where extant inscriptions show evidences of the first influx of Theravāda Buddhism from Ceylon in the middle of 13th century. The Buddhist church which, since then, enjoyed monarchical support and protection could long remain "unblemished", continuing to attract popular belief toward "the field of merit" and thus contributing to the integration of Thai society.
Sukhothai inscriptions also indicate a certain degree of hierarchical organization of the Sangha offices of which were filled by royal sanction, if not direct appointment. One will see here another example of ecclesiastical "autonomy" allowed to survive only within the cadre of lay government's control.
