The  objectives  of  this  thesis  are  of  three  thesis  had  three : (1) to  study  the  Five Disappearances  in  Theravada  Buddhism, (2) to  study  the  Five  Disappearances  in Thai  society, (3) to  study  impacts, and  preventions  of  the  Five  Disappearances and their solutions in Thai  society. Following are the research results :

            The  Five  Disappearances  in  Theravada  Buddhism, according  to  Tipitaka, the  Holy  Scripture  of  Buddhism, derive  from  several  causes. For instance, some Buddhas did not elaborate their teachings, nor  formulate provisions, nor demonstrate Patimok or major teachings, nor explain distortions of the teachings, features of useless monks, disrespect for the Triple Gems, discipline, and meditation, nor contemplate on the Four Satipatthana, but indulge in negligence or carelessness, indolence, carnal pleasure, without deep thinking and mindfulness.  However, the perpetuation  and  continuation  of  the  Buddha’s  teachings  depend  on  just  the reverse  sides  of  those  causes. The  Five  Disappearances  in  later  Buddhist  commentaries  consist  of  Disappearance  of  Teachings, Disappearance  of  Practical  Training, Disappearance  of  Thorough  Understanding  and  Enlightenment, Disappearance  of  Monkhood, and  Disappearance  of  the  Buddha’ s  Relics. Their  expositions  and  detailed  commentaries  are  arranged  in  order  of  chronology taken from various Buddhist scriptures; the interdependence and relations of those Five Disappearances are similar to the Dependent Origination or Paticcasamupbad.

            In  Thai  society, Buddhists’ understanding  of  the  Five  Disappearances  can  be  divided  into  five  categories : Beliefs  in  The  Five  Disappearances  as  appeared  in  Milindapanha  Text, Sanghitiwong, Prathombhodhikatha  based  on  commentaries  and  expositions  also  appeared  in  the  traditions  of  the  Buddha’ s  Great  Births  recitations, Chedi  or  Pagoda  constructions, amulet  production, and  Buddha  image  castings. However,  out of the  Five  Disappearances, three, except Disappearance  of  Thorough  Understanding  and  Enlightenment and Disappearance  of  the  Buddha’ s  Relics, have not  occurred  in  Thai  society.

            Based on the research results, measures  to prevent  and solve the problem of Five Disappearances  from  occurring  in  Thai  society  must depend on means and methods mentioned in the Tipitaka (Elaborate explanations, formulation of provisions, spreading of Patimok major teachings, etc.) which include, for  instances, promotion  of  teaching  and  learning  of  Buddhism, promotion  of  practical  training, patronage  and  support  for  monks  and  novices, renovations  of  the  Chedi  or  Pagodas, etc. among  Buddhist followers. Advantages of understanding the impacts of the Five  Disappearances  on  Thai  society  and  their  preventive  measures and solutions  will  certainly  sustain  and  perpetuate  the  continuity  of  Buddhism, not  only  for Thailand  but  also  for  the  world.