Buddhist Monks and Social Work in Thailand Society

Abstract

Sangha and social welfare in Thai society under the governmental policy of the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand assigned to an ecclesiastical administrative officer under 6 aspects called ‘Sangha mission’ i.e. 1) Government 2) Religious Education 3) Disseminations 4) Welfare Education 5).Public Utilization and 6) Public Welfare. This article will present social work in Thai society as follows:- 1. Sangha and social welfare according to Dhamma such as Sanghahavatthu, and Brahmavihara and 2. Sangha and social welfare according to Vinaya, if a monk using social works as a living tool is regarded as a low art or any study tending to be an obstacle on the way to Nibbàna (Tiracchànavijjà) and against his rudimentary precept because his mentioned conduct goes against monk’s lifestyle designed for simplicity and interdependence upon four requisites out of the devotees. Meanwhile he conducts social works utterly with sincere intention and a device for convincing people to Dhamma (spirituality). It is not that wrong livelihood with a low art and not against rudimentary precept.