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10 The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 A Buddhist Perspective on Freedom of Religion 10 Far East to receive evangelization efforts because it was the only country in Southeast Asia where the Catholic Fathers could establish themselves safely. 16 One Father even said, ùI do not believe there will be any other country in the world with so many different religions where followers of each religion can observe their rites and rituals so freely as in Siam.û 17 In present-day Thailand, while the status of the king as a Buddhist and the supreme patron of all religions is constitutionalized, the status of Buddhism as the state religion is not. The great majority of Buddhist Thais are known to have lived peacefully and harmoniously with followers of other religions for centuries. Thailand is perhaps the only country where leaders of major religions have equal opportunity to give their New Year blessings on national television during the same broadcast. Religious fundamentalism To most people, the term religious fundamentalism often carries a pejorative connotation, suggesting overly strict and literal interpretation of the religious tenets, particularly when such adherence is seen as the root cause of religious exclusivism and extremism, leading to intolerance, to persecution, and ultimately to violence. On religious violence, the late Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda made the following observation: 18 It is quite natural for cunning and selfish people to take advantage of any kind of virtue, but let all religionists of today bear in mind that those who fight and shed blood in the name of religion, do not follow religious principles and do not serve the cause of humanity. They fight for their own personal gain or power by using the name of a religion.... Religious fundamentalism, as explained above, is obviously incompatible with the Buddhist tenets, simply because violence in whatever form, whether under the disguise of religion or not, is unacceptable. To explain the Buddhist stance 16 ùFrance›Thailand relationsû, http://en.wikipedia.org/ 17 Ven. P. A. Payutto. 2010. Chronology of Buddhism in World Civilization [in Thai] . 4th ed. Bangkok. 18 Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda. 1996. ùBuddhist attitude towards other religionsû in Gems of Buddhist Wisdom . 2nd ed. Kuala Lumper: Buddhist Missionary Society, p. 503. 1-15_mac9 4/26/12, 8:09 PM 10