Buddhism: Thailand Part 4
Article by Manora
A monk may leave the monkhood any time he wishes. The Thai ordination is a public notice of a man's intention to follow the Buddha's teaching. He is not obliged to remain a monk for life, nor does any stigma attach should he decide to return to secular life.
Although Buddhism flourished during the Ayutthayan period, historically little is known of Ayutthayan Buddhism because of the near total destruction of the Kingdom's records. The years following 1767 found Buddhism in disarray. The situation improved when the first Chakri king, Rama I, re-established religious as well as social order.
A later Chakri king, Mongkut (Rama IV), founded a new Buddhist sect during his monastic years. The Dhammayutika sect, a basic reform of the existing Mahannikai sect, stressed stricter interpretation of monastic discipline, stipulated changes in ordination procedures, and emphasized studying the original Theravada scriptures in the ecclesiastic language of Pali.
Today, Theravada Buddhism is the professed religion of over 90% of the Thai people, and profoundly influences everyday life. It finds expression in the Thais' to-lerance and kindness towards their fellow men, regardless of race, creed or nationality. It is visibly strengthened by the close daily contact the laity enjoys with Buddhist monks during morning food collections and casual meetings. People acquire 'merit' by donating food to the monks; by building and renovating temples; by constructing hospitals; and by showing kindness and com-passion to all living creatures. Such merit favourably affects one's present as well as future incarnations.
All major Buddhist holy days are national holidays. These include Makkha Bucha (commemorating the miraculous occasion when 1250 disciples gathered spontaneously to hear the Buddha preach); Visakkha Bucha (the holiest day in Thailand, marking the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death); Asalaha Bucha (commemorating the Buddha's first sermon to his first five disciples); and Khao Phansa (the ! commence ment of the annual three-month Rains Retreat when all monks stay inside their monasteries to study and meditate).
Buddhist monks chant auspicious stanzas blessing the openings of new businesses. They officiate at housewarmings. They chant and annoint new ships, air-planes and even cars. Brides and grooms make meritorious offerings of food on their wedding days and are blessed and sprinkled with holy water. Monks also chant prayers during nightly rites preceding cremations.
One fundamental reason for the Thai laity's generous support of the Sangha (the Buddhist monastic order) is that there are few Buddhist families in which at least one member has not studied the Buddha's teaching within monastic surroundings. Not uncommonly, a man, after discharging his worldly duties and family obligations, will spend his remaining years as a Buddhist monk.
It has likewise long been a Thai custom for Buddhist males over twenty to be temporarily ordained as Buddhist monks, gene-rally during the annual Rains Retreat. Government offices, certain sections of the armed forces and larger private companies make temporary ordinations easier by granting their employees three months' leave with full salary.
Temporary ordination, ranging from five days to three months, is not the exclusive privilege of any one class. Everyone from a farmer's son to royalty may take this unique change for self-improvement. Both H.M. King Bhumipol and his son, Thailand's Crown Prince, H.R.H. Prince Vajiralongkom, have been monks for short periods. Their acts continue a tradition in which Buddhism unites all Buddhist members of society.
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