Introduction
While describing the teaching and learning of P?li in Thailand, Sangtaksin Yupon (1998: 46-50) mentions that the Ecclesiastical Education in Thailand developed for the first time in the Sukhothai (Sukhodaya) period and functioned till Ratanakosin period, prior to the Twentieth Century. It was the study of the P?li Tripitaka, the most fundamental teaching of the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. The textbooks were written in the P?li language and recorded in Khom (Combodian/Khmer) characters written on Palm-leaves. There were three classes, namely, Parien-Tri (Third class), Parien-To (Second class) and Parien-Ek (First class). In 1816, King Rama II changed the three grade-Parien system into the nine grade-Parien system, which is the origin of the modern system. Apart from the Tripitaka, its commentaries were also added to the curriculum. This was called the Study of Phrapariyatidhamma or the Study of P?li.