現代泰國是否佛教國家？從《僧團法》與「國家統一」看泰國政治－宗教關係的演變

The Evolution of Political-Religious Relationship in Modern Thailand: Sangha Acts and National Unification

本文是對泰國自現代改革和政治統一以來百餘年間，以上座部佛教為主軸的泰國政治－宗教關係演變的基本線索和特性作出綜合說明，探討的重點在透過三輪以國家政體、《僧團法》及相應冒起的特定僧侶群體之間的關係為據，來探討現代泰國是哪一意義下的佛教國家或世俗國家。全文由六節組成：一、上座部、僧俗施供及政教並行；二、絕對君權制、首版《僧團法》及抗殖；三、立憲君主制、二版《僧團法》及休場；四、軍事獨裁制、三版《僧團法》及抗共；五、政治經濟、宗教異議及城鄉差距；及六、泰國是世俗國家或佛教國家？最後是小結。

This article is a comprehensive analysis of the political and religious relationship in Thailand’s Theravada Buddhism during the modernization reformation of the last century. The author describes in what sense Thailand is a Buddhist country or a secular country based on the relations among the state polity, Sangha Acts, and specific groups in the monastic system. The article is composed of six sections: first, Theravada, monastic-lay bonding and political-religious institutions. Second, absolute monarchy, first Sangha Acts and anti-colonialism. Third, constitutional monarchy and second Sangha Acts. Fourth, military dictatorship, third Sangha Acts and anti-communism. Fifth, political economy, religious dissenters and Urban-rural gap. Sixth, whether Thailand is a secular or a Buddhist country. The article concludes with a summary of findings.