ABSTACT

The purposes of an analytical study of Sivali Thera’s role found in Buddhist Texts were: (1) to study the Sivali Thera’ s history, (2) to study of Sivali Thera’ s role found in Theravada Buddhist Texts and (3) to study the influences of the belief on the Sivali Thera’s role in Thai society today. This research applied the documentary research. The research was qualitative research with the mixed methods research. The data analysis used   the field data by interviewing the experts and stakeholders.

                  The results of study were found that:

1)  Sivali Thera was the son of Phramahalilitchavee and Suppavasa. After the birth, Thera invited him for ordaining. Sivali Thera attained the achievement because he studied from Saribut Thera. In the Buddhist’s time, he was the Thera (the elder), who the human and the gods worshipped, had the great fortune, and was admired to the Etadagga (the foremost).

2)  The Sivali Thera’s role found in Theravada Buddhist Texts were: the role in the propagation of Buddhism, 2) the role in supporting of monks, 3) the role as the Etadagga (the foremost), and 4) the role as the Asitimahasavaka. These roles were appeared in his merit, success and worship. He was one of 80 elders in the Buddhist’s time, , the good model, good friend and helped the friends with Amisadana (material gift) and Dhammadana (spiritual gift).

3)  In the Thai society, Sivali Thera was the important elder of the Buddhist education appeared in the curriculum of Nak Thamm and Thammaseuksa for secondary level and the curriculum of Pali Studies in the one –three tiered Pahrian Thamm. Moreover, the books on his biography were published. In the Thai society, Sivali Thera was as the good fortune. The symbol of Sivali Thera was the monk, who carried the monk’s alms bowl on the shoulder, the long-handled umbrella on the back. Sivali Thera was the good model of the study on Kamma (law of action) influencing in the present and the future.

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