RELIGION.
Our inquiries respecting the origin of the Bauddhic religion amongst the Siamese have been attended with but little success; nor do they leave us much ground to hope that any documents or writings they possess are calculated to throw any certain or steady light upon this interesting, but very obscure, subject.
The general persuasion amongst the priests, however, is, that it had its origin in the country called Lanka[19], which they acknowledge to be Ceylon, for which island they still entertain the highest reverence, and imagine that there the doctrines of their faith are contained in their greatest purity. Others maintain that it had its origin in the country called Kabillah Path, the common name amongst the Siamese for Europe; while others again assert it to be of domestic origin, and taught by a man sent from God.
The person who taught them this religion is known under various names, as,
Ong-Sam-ma, Sam Puttho, which is said to mean Omnipotens.
Sommonokodam, i. e., one who steals cattle. Phut, and Phuti. (Pati, a lord?)
Prā-phut, the high Lord.
Pra-phuti-roop, i. e., the image of the high Lord.
Before he was considered sacred, his name was Prā-si Thāāt.
He is said to have been born of a father called Soori-soo-thoght, and of a mother called Pra-Soori-maha-maya.