An Analytical Study of Factors Affecting the Sustainable Development of Buddhist Heirs

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study background and situations of Buddhist heirs in Theravada Buddhism, to analyze factors affecting Buddhist heirs, and to propose a guideline in sustainable supporting and developing Buddhist heirs. The subjects used for the study were 80 monks from 4 regional areas of Thailand obtained by purposive assumption. The data were collected through in-dept interview and group discussion and presented in a descriptive method. The results of the study revealed that monks and novices at present are practicing and behaving in the scope of Dhamma and Vinaya, but maybe some of them behave improperly and create problems to Sangha Orders and raise suspects among Buddhists and other religious members. How to solve the shortage of monks and novices was that the Sangha Supreme Council and Buddhists should help support the ordination systematically. In education, the Sangha organization should adjust and improve its educational curriculum in accordance with the government ones. In the aspect of Buddhist heirs, monks and novices should be trained and controlled in the monastic codes. In the policy supporting and developing the Buddhist heirs, the Sangha Supreme Council has promoted and encouraged both the novice ordination and monk ordination. Factors supporting the Buddhist heirs to live the chaste life sustainably are that monks and lay-people should work together closely to take care of monks and novice in aspects appropriately. The way to support and develop the Buddhist heirs is that the Sangha organization has to develop monks and novices potentially, especially in education, practice and preaching. In Buddhist heir nurture, the Buddhists should nurture Buddhist heir from the beginning, from novicehood, in order to prepare them for the monkhood. Monks and novices should be encouraged to work in academic field and other Buddhist affairs according to their skills and wishes.