A Study Of Approaches To Buddhist Adaptation For Overcoming Contemporary Crises In Thai Society

Abstract

This thesis aimed: (1) to study the factors contributing to the crisis of Buddhism in contemporary Thai society; (2) to study adaptive strategies employed to address this crisis; and (3) to propose guidelines for the adaptation of Buddhism in overcoming the crisis in contemporary Thai society. The study adopted a qualitative research approach based on in-depth interviews with six key informants and then data were analyzed using descriptive analysis respectively.

The research findings showed nine major factors contributing to the crisis of Buddhism in contemporary Thai society: personnel, administration, education, materialism, technology, Buddhist propagation, temple financial management, governmental factors, and external influences. The study further identified five key dimensions of adaptation: governance and judicial reform; human resource development and mentoring systems; systematic management and digital governance; educational reform and mental cultivation; and the enhancement of social missions and community engagement.

The proposed adaptation guidelines comprise five major approaches. First, institutional reform should focus on restoring the purity of the Sangha by raising ordination standards, strengthening judicial mechanisms, preventing patronage systems, and decentralizing authority through committee-based administration. Second, monastic development should emphasize revitalizing the five-year Nissaya training system, promoting appropriate pre-ordination attitudes, strengthening Sammãdiṭṭhi (Right View) through mentoring, improving understanding of monastic conduct in contemporary society, developing career pathways according to individual aptitudes, cultivating exemplary Buddhist successors, and enhancing Dhamma communication for diverse age groups. Third, organizational management should establish external oversight mechanisms, cybersecurity risk management systems, standards of accountability, collaborative organizational cultures, and integrated risk management networks. Fourth, educational reform should restore the essence of the Dhamma, counteract religious commercialism and materialism, systematically improve Buddhist education curricula, integrate Buddhist principles into everyday life, and strengthen proactive Buddhist propagation. Finally, community engagement should reinforce relationships between temples and local communities, expand proactive public welfare systems and partnership networks, and promote the role of Kalyãṇamitta (spiritual friendship) in sustainable Buddhist development.

Keywords: Crisis of Thai Buddhism; Buddhist Adaptation; Adaptation Guidelines for Addressing the Crisis of Buddhism