Royal Dhamma Studies Office

The Dhamma Studies examination system was introduced by King Mongkut (Rama IV) during the time he was ordained as a monk Bhikkhu Vajirañāṇo before he succeeded to the throne with the objective that monks could learn about monastic conduct more conveniently by studying translations of it in Thai language rather than Pali.

The following year, the curriculum reached its present quad-partite form of Dhamma analysis [dhammavipaaka], life of the Buddha [buddhabravat], essay writing based on Pali proverbs [kae kratoo thamm] and monastic discipline [vinai].

The nak thamm curriculum was adapted for the laity as thamma seuksa at the behest of the Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Luang Jinavorasirivattana from 1929 onwards.

One initiative of the 19th Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana was to have many of the thamma seuksa texts[3][4] and examinations translated into English,[5] bearing in mind the nurture of Thai children growing up outside Thailand.

The different continents of the world each have a particular time of the year when they organize their thamma seuksa examinations to allow invigilators from Thailand to make the rounds.