สำเนาพวกมิชชันนารีทูลถามปัญหาโบราณคดี

— Has Brahmanism a group of white-clad ชี of nuns which antedates the Buddhist ชี?

— Does the Buddhist Sanggha take official notice of the ชี to give them special preaching services or supervision of any kind?”

— I have never quite understood the point of view of His Majesty, King Mongkut, who was anxious to get valid ​ordination in properly consecrated Bai Sima ground. His interest was in the true teachings and ethical teaching of Buddha. Did King Mongkut believe in a “channel of Grace” handed down from Buddha to the present by means of proper ordination of Upasombotha? If not, why could not a monk be a true follower of the Great Teacher, although the monk was improperly ordained?

— In Northern Siam there are Mahayana elements in temple architecture, as Ganesha, the Elephant-headed God, ornate gates to temples covered with many chedis or chetiyas, and figures of humans or mythical persons adorning each ten-foot length of the temple wall.

— Did the Burmese bring in Mahayana architectural ideas, under King Anuruddha and others? Or are these purely Hinayana elements?

— Are there any purely Buddhist customs or ceremonies in connection with the marriage ceremony, or is the wedding ceremony purely Brahmanic?

— Does the ทำขวัญนาค ceremony date back to the time ​of Buddha or was it developed in Ceylon?

— Have the บายศรี and พุ่มไม้ any significance other than being objects of beauty? Did they ever consist of gifts of money or objects which could be eaten or worn?

— Are there only 40 possible attitudes postures for images of Buddha, and are they all covered now by the images for the reigns of the

33 Kings of Ayuthia

1 King of Dhonburi

8 Kings of the Chakri Dynasty.

42

How large are these images?