New Books in Buddhist Studies Sven Trakulhun, "Confronting Christianity: The Protestant Mission and the Buddhist Reform Movement in Nineteenth-Century Thailand" (U Hawaii Press, 2024)
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Jun 1, 2025 Sven Trakulhun, a history professor at the University of Hamburg, delves into the fascinating interactions between 19th-century Protestant missionaries and Theravada Buddhism in Siam. He discusses how these missionaries, while largely unsuccessful in conversions, inadvertently influenced Siam's Buddhist reform led by Prince Mongkut. The conversation highlights themes of cultural identity, inter-religious dialogue, and the complex relationship between modernity and tradition as Siam faced colonial pressures. Trakulhun also reflects on the evolving interest in this topic among Thai scholars.
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King Mongkut's Religious Mediation
- King Mongkut is depicted mediating between world religions in a Grand Palace painting dated 1882.
- The image symbolizes religious discourse and Siam's assertion of civilization amidst Western colonial pressure.
Scripture Connects Christians and Buddhists
- Protestant missionaries were evangelical, focusing on scripture and translating the Bible into Thai.
- Their emphasis on scripture influenced concurrent Buddhist reforms, despite religious differences.
Debating Creator God and Fables
- Missionaries criticized Buddhism for lacking a creator God and for its fabulous stories.
- Buddhists countered, highlighting Christianity's own supernatural tales and questioned the need for a creator God.
