Thai Buddha

Earth-touching Buddha with Bhumisparsha mudra.

Material: bronze.
Height: 22 cm.

Buddhism in Thailand is largely of the Theravada school, which is followed by 95 percent of the population. Thailand has the third largest Buddhist population in the world, after China and Japan, with approximately 64 million Buddhists. Buddhism in Thailand has also become integrated with the folk religions and Chinese religions of the Thai Chinese population.

Buddhist temples in Thailand are characterized by tall golden stupas, and Thailand's Buddhist architecture is similar to that of other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Cambodia and Laos, with which Thailand shares a cultural and historical heritage. Buddhism is believed to have come to present-day Thailand as early as 250 BC, during the time of the Indian emperor Ashoka. Since then, Buddhism has played an important role in Thai culture and society.