Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Foundation

The Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Foundation (มูลนิธิมหามกุฏราชวิทยาลัย ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์) is a Thai charitable organization established in 1933 (B.E. 2476) under royal patronage. It was founded by Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Chinaworawisutthi Thewarayawong to propagate Buddhist teachings by collating, translating, and publishing Buddhist scriptures, which are then distributed at propagation prices. The foundation is closely linked to Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya, a Buddhist educational institution and printing house founded in 1896 (B.E. 2439) by Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Wachirayanwarorot, who named the printing press after King Mongkut (Rama IV), the father of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The foundation represents the second stage in the development of Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya, created to use income from the institution's assets to support Pali and Dhamma studies and broaden the propagation of Buddhism. The foundation's origins trace back to King Mongkut's efforts to establish a printing press at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara after the American missionary Dr. Dan Beach Bradley refused to print Buddhist texts, arguing that Buddhism was a competitor to Christianity. The king set up a printing operation at the Phetch Hall within the temple, with his disciples serving as editors. The press operated intermittently due to financial constraints. Under Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Wachirayanwarorot, the temple's abbot, the press was officially named Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Printing House and opened in 1896. It continued to operate sporadically, relying on donations. In 1935 (B.E. 2478), under Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krom Luang Wachirayanwong, the printing operations were revived with a dedicated fundraising campaign, leading to sustained improvement. The foundation played a crucial role in the establishment of Mahamakut Buddhist University. When the government refused to support the monastic university, viewing it as illegitimate, the foundation provided essential funding, especially in the early years, and also offered scholarships to students with outstanding academic records. Today, the foundation continues to publish and sell Buddhist textbooks for all levels of Dhamma and Pali studies at low prices, as well as other Buddhist literature. Its office is located in front of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok. The current chairman of the foundation's board is Professor Thongthong Chandrangsu.

The Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Foundation was established in 1933 (B.E. 2476), forty years after the founding of Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya in 1896 (B.E. 2439). It was created by Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Chinaworawisutthi Thewarayawong, who was then the chairman of the committee of Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya. The foundation was intended to use the income from the institution's assets to support the study of Pali and Dhamma and to broaden the propagation of Buddhism. The first chairman of the foundation was Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krom Luang Chinaworarisirivat. The origins of Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya itself date back to King Mongkut (Rama IV), who sought to print Buddhist texts for distribution. He initially asked the American missionary Dr. Dan Beach Bradley to print them, but Bradley refused, stating that Buddhism was a competitor to Christianity. The king then established a printing press at the Phetch Hall within Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, with his disciples serving as editors. The printing operations faced financial difficulties and were intermittent. Later, under Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Wachirayanwarorot, the abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, the press was officially named Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Printing House and opened in 1896. It continued to operate sporadically, often relying on donations to print books for free distribution. In 1935 (B.E. 2478), under Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krom Luang Wachirayanwong, the printing operations were revived. A fundraising campaign was launched to establish a dedicated fund for publishing books, which led to gradual improvement and sustainability. The foundation played a pivotal role in the establishment of Mahamakut Buddhist University. When the government refused to support the monastic university, considering it illegitimate, the foundation became a major source of funding, especially in the early years. It also provided scholarships to students with outstanding academic performance. The foundation continues to publish and distribute Buddhist textbooks for all levels of Dhamma and Pali studies at low prices, as well as other Buddhist literature. Its office is located in front of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok. The current chairman of the board is Professor Thongthong Chandrangsu.

• 1935

  Printing operations revived under Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krom Luang Wachirayanwong with a fundraising campaign.

• 1933

  Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Foundation established by Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Chinaworawisutthi Thewarayawong.

• 1896

  Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Printing House officially opened by Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Wachirayanwarorot.

A charitable foundation under royal patronage dedicated to the propagation of Buddhism through affordable publication of religious texts.

• Buddhist scriptures

  Collated and translated Buddhist scriptures published for propagation.

• Dhamma and Pali textbooks

  Textbooks for all levels of Dhamma and Pali studies, sold at low prices.

• Buddhist literature

  Other books related to Buddhism published and distributed by the foundation.

1. 1Wikidata: Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Foundationwikidata.org
2. 2Wikipedia (Thai): มูลนิธิมหามกุฏราชวิทยาลัย ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์th.wikipedia.org