Identifier: kingdomofsiam00cart (find matches)
Title: The kingdom of Siam..
Year: 1904 (1900s)
Authors: Carter, A. C. (from old catalog)
Subjects:
Publisher: N.Y. and Lond
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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sion, one for the southern, one for thesect of the Dhammayutika, and one for the hermits.The Dhammayutika are a sect formed under KingMongkut, with the aim of bringing the doctrine inoutward matters (initiation into the priesthood,dress, etc.) more in accordance with the pristineteachings; whilst the archpriest appointed for thehermits (of whom there are not very many now),i. e., those living in secluded places, follows the kinginto the province. These archpriests receive fromthe king, just as the highest officials of state, goldor silver tablets recording their titles. Next in thehierarchical order are the five high-priests to assistthe archpriests, and after them fourteen dignitariesin whose official titles the words Dhamma, Raja,Deva enter. In the hands of these twenty-threepriests lies the supervision of the doctrine in all re-spects. Then follows an official list of twelve gurus(teachers) who, as their title implies, are to assist inteaching the doctrine. These also receive their
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O z< o 2 aHH Religion of Siam 97 official appointment from the king, whilst othergurus or teachers are appointed by the archpriests,corresponding in this respect to civil officials whoreceive their appointments from the hands of theresponsible minister. These gurus can be appointed heads of temples,and sometimes the title is bestowed on them, as therecognition of special service rendered in scholarship,as an honorary degree. The priests next in rankare those who hold official positions or are appointedto a certain office under the archpriests, the high-priests, the heads of temples, so that their officialposition only lasts as long as the superior who hasappointed them holds his office. They are entrustedwith the ritual, and act as judges and arbiters incases of discipline. A numerous class of priests areformed by the Barien scholars, who receive theirtitle after having passed an examination in Pali, inthe sacred books, and in the commentaries. Thereare nine steps in these examinat

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