Buddhist Monks on a Mission Learn about America

On May 25, Cultural Affairs Officer JP Schutte discussed "American Culture" to a group of 85 monks who will soon be leaving Thailand as missionaries to serve Buddhist communities around the world. The student monks enrolled at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University learned how historical factors such as the American revolution, immigration, and westward expansion created both a unique identity and a diverse culture in the United States. The good-natured students showed particular interest in how the U.S. commitment to freedom of religion worked in practice. Founded in 1887 by King Chulalongkorn, “Mahachula U,” as it is known locally, was established exclusively to educate Buddhist monks. It has since become an international university teaching monks and nuns from around Asia and from various strains of Buddhism.


http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy-activities/2011/may/04.html