Abstract:
This article tries to present the changes of the Samana Bodhirak after the announcement of schism from the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand that effected Samana Bodhirak’s political expression, including relation to the Chamlong Srimuang’s Palangdharma Party for pointing out the influence of Bodhirak and Santi Asoke group in political movement, as well as trying to explain important factors and impacts that occurred by studying the information from the documents of the Santi Asoke case, newspapers and general books. According to the study, it found that Samana Bodhirak expressed political opinions, and joined the Palangdharma Party. Both he and Chamlong had close relationship via finding the way to practice the dharma together before Chamlong persuaded the Santi Asoke group to political movement. After the Sangha Supreme Council sentenced Bodhirak to be out of monkhood, he more expressed political opinions because he had no political restrictions about monk couldn’t involve in any political matters. Then, Samana Bodhirak and Santi Asoke group were therefore important supporters for electioneering to the Palangdharma Party, including having roles in the party as a party member. These political activities reflected influence of Bodhirak and his faithful followers leading the party’s way to political change.
