Factors Influencing Image of Chinese Monks in Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to study 1) the level of image of Chinese monks in Thailand, motivation for religious practice, external factors, internal factors and roles of Chinese monks, and 2) the causal factors such as religious motivation, external factors, internal factors, and roles of Chinese monks toward image of Chinese monks in Thailand. The research model was Quantitative Research. The sample group were 400 buddhists who live in area of temple under Chinese Sect in Bangkok and surrounding provinces using purposive samplings. The research tools were questionnaires. The statistics used for data analysis were descriptive statistics and structural equation model.

The results showed that: 1) external factors were at the highest level, followed by image of Chinese monks, motivation for religious practice, internal factors and roles of Chinese monks at a high level, and 2) the motivation to minister and external factors directly influenced image of Chinese monks in Thailand