The Role of Malaysian Monks –Tai Descendent in The Northern States of Malaysia

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to study structure, rules, regulations, and administrative role and mission of Tai-Malaysian monks in northern states of Malaysia, investigate societal leadership of Tai-Malaysian monks and their relationship with local communities, and look into relationship between Tai-Malaysian monks and Thai monks, Tai-Malaysian ethnic group and Thai people, and organizations in Malaysia and those in Thailand. A combination of a qualitative research method and a historical research method was employed to build up the conceptual framework of this study. The results showed that the structure, rules, regulations, and administrative role and mission of Tai-Malaysian monks in northern states of Malaysia followed those of monks in Thailand. With regard to societal leadership of Tai-Malaysian monks and their relationship with local communities, it was found that the Tai-Malaysian monks gave priority to the construction of enduring objects and the setting up of a Thai language school. For the relationship between Tai-Malaysian monks and Thai monks, Tai-Malaysian ethnic group and Thai people, and organizations in Malaysia and those in Thailand, the study revealed that they all had established strong ties. The promotion of any priests’ ranks in Malaysia followed the tradition as practiced by Thai monks. The study also indicated that Tai-Malaysian ethnic group and Thai people regarded each other as relatives, brothers and sisters.