What exactly is Borān kammaṭṭhāna? Borān kammaṭṭhāna refers to the ancient and former practices that are found in modern day Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, and have been hidden away from the public eye for centuries. These practices are based on various influences. Borān kammaṭṭhāna is a system and practice/sect of Theravada Buddhism that incorporates Hinduism (From the Khmer Empire), Mahayana Buddhism (From the Dali Kingdom, Mahayana Buddhism was the largest sect of Buddhism in mainland South-East Asia), Tai Animism (Formerly known as 'Sasana Phi', religion of the spirits), and Occult practices/Esoteric practices imported from either Hinduism, or Vajrayana. Borān kammaṭṭhāna is currently practiced in the small pockets of Thailand, such as Lanna region, and the south, Shan State (Burma), Laos, Sipsongpanna (Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China), as well as various regions and parts of Cambodia.

Borān kammaṭṭhāna has many possible origins, such as possible traces to Abhyagiri, Sri-Lanka, where monastics are known to have practiced Vajrayana Buddhism. Ari Buddhism is another possible origin, Ari Buddhism was an Esoteric Sect, a part of Vajrayana, which died out after the kingdom of Pagan/Bagan accepted Theravada Buddhism. Ari Buddhism was a syncretic Esoteric tradition that contained Burmese Nat (Spirits) Worship [Note: Nat Worship is done similarly with Tai Animism/Sasana Phi], Naga Veneration, and Hindu Tantra from India. However, during the Khmer Empire, Esoteric/Vajrayana Buddhism was already present in the Khmer Empire, which stretched from modern day Cambodia, Laos, and parts of Thailand, stopping around the Lanna region.