The thesis entitled “An Analytical Study of the Faith’s Development of the Buddhists in Thai Society” has three objectives: 1) to study the meaning, importance, and kinds of faith in Buddhism 2) to study the faith’s Development of the Buddhists in Thai society, and 3) to analytically study the faith’s Development of the Buddhists in Thai society. This study is of documentary research done through analysis and synthesis in a descriptive method.

The results of study were as follows:

Buddhism has placed emphasis on faith with reason and wisdom. It is the faith that comprises of wisdom, whereas faith originating from illusion is the faith with no reason that cannot be proved and will not lead ones to the cessation of suffering; it is included in the faith with no wisdom. When human beings have faith, they do not stop only in faith but there have to be the process of intellectual development that be able to develop oneselves to the ultimate goal of life, that is to say, the emancipation of all sufferings with its ultimate goal at nibbāna.

Thai people believe in Buddhism since the Dvāravatī period appearing in the evidences relating to both the arts and literary doctrine. There are two important influences of faith in Buddhism affecting upon Thai people, the belief in the Triple Gems and the Law of Karma. It is believed that one who believes and declares oneself to refuge the Triple Gems for lifelong, he/she can purify his/her mind and thereby liberating him/her from the defilements. As regards the belief in the law of karma, it has the effect upon life quality that is the development of oneself following the way of law of karma with the mindfulness supporting for taking care of oneself happily.

Buddhism has flourished from the past to the present depending upon the faith of Thai Buddhist people that appeared in the various arts of craftsmen—produced by faith in Buddhism aiming at paying respect to the Buddha and handing down Buddhism. They are: 1) architecture; it was beautifully built as the permanent structure, for example, stupas, or pagodas for containing the Buddha’s relics,             2) sculpture; it was created by faith in Buddhism, the Buddha’s statue is the outstanding sculpture of Buddhism, 3) painting; it refers to paintings concerning Buddhism that appeared in the Uposatha’ s Hall,  the Buddha’ statue’s Hall (Vihāra), and the pavilion (Sālā), even in the arched space of the stupa, and in addition to various structures. Apart from being decorated in the Uposatha’s Hall, and in the Buddha’ statue’s Hall for the beautiful purpose, these arts exist as the Dhamma-communication, and storytelling of Buddhism through painting-art as well, and         4) literature; it mainly has intention for teaching mind of one to know good and bad thing, and for refining mind of one to be delicate in order to avoid unwholesome state, follow only on the wholesome one. Thus, it is called the ‘Sermon-Literature’ such as Trai Bhum Phra Ruang, Mahachat Kam Luang and Phra Malai Kam Luang, and so on.

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