ABSTRACT
Historically, Buddhism in Thailand is largely followed by the most of the Thai people. Therefore, Buddhism has played a significant role in Thai culture and society as the main or the nationwide religion. To the Buddhist monastics, the monks obligated to conserve all the religious precepts which is 227 articles. In the seventh article which concerned the music, it stipulated that “The monk has to refrain from dancing, singing, wayfaring, musing or watching to foes that are enemies to his nobility. To relate or adorn the body with amount of fragrant flowers, dyes, utensils or a classified as dressing, are no worse.” Therefore, the monastics do not allow the monks to adequate directly to the music, unlike some religions. Thai monks cannot endorsing any activities related to Thai music formally. But, in the past, Thai monastery has many musicians played on important parts in rituals, including the performances within or around the vicinity for the merit-making, funerals and celebrations, due to the greatness of the community which centered by the temple. In various temples, the customs of Thai Music is often instructed and came from the House of Thai Music training within their precincts, normally intentionally formed for the community activities. This research wants to present the influence and development of Thai Buddhism and temple services which are valuable and relevant to the study of Thai music from the past to the present.
KEYWORDS
Thai music, education of Thai music, evolution of Thai Music, monk in Thai music