In response to rapid social changes in Thailand, Bhikkhu Buddhadasa (1906–1993), a leading Thai Buddhist thinker, has interpreted Buddhism not only from a religious point of view but also from a sociopolitical perspective. After devoting most of his life to reforming Buddhism in Thailand, Buddhadasa found it necessary to address sociopolitical issues from a Buddhist perspective. In the 1960s, he articulated his sociopolitical position in terms of dhammocracy (dham- ma-thipatai): the social and political order should follow the law of Dhamma the teachings of the Buddha. Later on in the atmosphere of the student-led revolution in Thailand from 1973 to 1976, Buddhadasa presented his unique theory of dhammic socialism (dhammika sangkhom-niyom).