ABSTRACT
Archaeological discoveries on the plain of Vientiane have revealed Buddha images in the Mon style and inscriptions in old Mon dating from as early as the ninth century. At that time the Mon, a people speaking an Austroasiatic language related to Cambodian, ruled a powerful kingdom known as Dvaravati in central Thailand. They were ardent Theravada Buddhists; Mon monks were active in spreading their faith not only to what today is northeastern and northern Thailand, but also to Cambodia and Laos.
