105
In the name of the Siamese monks, vre find t:ie
remnant of the Indian name. They are called Phikhit,
which corresponds to Pali bhikkhu or are also krown
as Phisu (=Skr. bhiksu ). The early European trave-
llers, however, called the Siamese monks ta/atvins
(tala\patj\.\\e name came from the fan which they
carry with them). The Siamese monks as a rule
follow, as in Ceylon and Cambodia, twenty-seven arti-
cles of the book of discipline, known as Patimok,
which is nothing else but the corruption of Paiimvk-
kha.) as well as the commentaries of the Phra\ Vinai^
which is but the text of Vinaya of tbe Tripitaka.
The orders in the Siamese church include:—
(i) Samanera or a Novice (Siamese, Sama-
nen)
(ii) Bhikkhu or a monk ( Siamese, Phikhu ),
and
(iii) Thera or Elder (Siamese, P/ira).1
The Siamese King as the Defender of Buddhism
is the head of the church, but he seldom interfers with
the internal management of the church, which is, how-
ever, under the direct control of Sahg&Aarta (Skr. Sail-
ghardt^Sahgharaja\ nominated by the king. In
Siara, the brother of the king is generally the Sahgha-
rat, who is the head of all Siamese monks. He deci-
des all religious controversies with the help of the king.
As the head of the church, he presides over the meet-
ings of monks convened for the discussion of irapor-
1. Saunders—Epochs in Buddhist History, p. 115.