Model Essay: Examine key features of the Buddhist sangha in Thailand and how these have changed in the 21st Century.

 

“Examine key features of the Buddhist Sangha in Thailand and how these have changed in the 21^st Century.” (10 marks - AQA)

Traditionally, the sangha in countries where there are many Buddhists is responsible for social order for local communities. This traces back to the original sangha as set up by Siddhartha Gautama. After gaining enlightenment, Gautama ordained the first monks, and this the lineage of Buddhist monks traces back to the Buddha himself. The Buddha created the sangha to be responsible for ‘spreading the dharma’ (Cush). Within Thailand, monks and nuns who join the sangha are therefore responsible for preserving and transmitting the message of Buddhism.

Within the traditional Thai sangha, much as the Buddha intended, life revolved around the Theravada goal – gaining nirvana. This may be pursued through Samatha and Vipassana meditation, and through the study of Buddhist texts such as the Milindapanda of the Pali Canon. The sangha relied on the laity for survival – as monks and nuns may not handle money and property becomes communal after renunciation, the monks and nuns daily beg for alms in the local community. In return, they offer the laity opportunities to learn the dharma and will offer services such as birth and death rites.

The rural sangha in Thailand plays a similar role in the C21st to the traditional sangha envisions by the Buddha. For example, monks will educate local children – providing a service similar to primary school. However, in the cities, the sangha has changed somewhat as general Thai culture and attitudes have developed. It has been suggested that the West has influenced Thai society, making it increasingly capitalistic. Despite having a Buddhist monarchy, Thailand is not a formally Buddhist country. Therefore society is becoming increasingly influenced by capitalism – concerned with wealth and status. This has an effect on the Thai sangha, as people are less invested in Buddhist ideals, which reject reliance on worldly possessions. This decreasing focus on religion and increasing focus on personal gain can lead to monks in C21st Thailand straying from the path of Buddhism – there are suggestions that some monks in urban areas join the sangha in order to be highly respected in society. This may change the integrity of the sangha itself. A lack of religious focus also may lead to less support for the sangha, with less Thailanders attending the temple or supporting the laity with alms, particularly in urban areas.

Politically, there are difference in Thailand today – the country has been a democracy for the past 20 years. The generally positive view of the sangha, particularly in rural areas, has led to political campaigners using the sangha to gain more votes, by associating themselves with local communities and publicly showing themselves to observe Buddhist traditions. This illustrates that the Thai sangha still plays an essential role in Thailand, as it is viewed as an important political vehicle. Democracy has also affected the sangha’s structure – it is now a top-down hierarchy with elected officials in charge of the chief council.