The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha or order of monks, form the three cornerstones of the Buddhist faith.  In our village, we saw people show their respect for these nearly every day by placing three sticks of incense along with a candle and a lotus flower bud in front of home or temple Buddha images.

The first monks were the earliest followers of Buddha. Today, nearly every Thai man, at one time or other in his life, becomes a monk.  Many choose to do this for a period of three months after the 18th birthday and

A monk at the large temple Wat Pai Rong Wua

during the rainy season. Spending this time at the temple or living alone in a “kuti,” they practice self-discipline and meditation. In classes, they learn to speak and read Pali, the language of ancient texts and religious practices. They also study Buddhist teachings.

In this way, the monkhood is thought to offer practical living skills that will help each man cope more effectively with stress at work or in his family life. In Thailand, the monkhood is limited to men, although women can become nuns.  Women still shave their heads. They live, study, and learn at the temples. But they wear white robes like monks at ordination.  Their “rank” is considered to be somewhat lower than that of monks. Other branches of Buddhism look at women differently and allow for their ordinations.

Becoming a Monk

This is an ordination in our village.  An ordination is a ceremony.  In the ceremony, the man makes a vow to follow the principles of the Dharma. At the end of the ceremony, the man joins with other monks and enters the “bot” for chanting and meditation.

Families are very proud when their sons become monks.  They spend a lot of money bringing fun and entertainment to people of the village where their son grew up. It’s a way of saying thanks!

Though many are part of the Sangha for a short time, some men return to the monkhood off and on throughout their lives.  Even

married men occasionally take a break from the marriage relationship to return to a life of abstinence and meditation.

Then, there are some men who chose to remain monks their whole lives. Many become teachers, counselors, and writers. They are often highly respected in the community. People often seek out these monks for counseling and guidance.

Authority

Monks eating at our temple in Na Lau

The Sangha actually has legal authority in Thailand. Ministers, priest, rabbis and other church leaders in the U.S. have legal rights to marry people, but the Sangha has more authority than that. Sometimes they must be consulted and their permission obtained before civic projects are allowed to proceed.

Monks leading chants at our temple in Na Lau

Monks perform other civic duties in communities as well.  They teach and run schools, care for addicts, the sick and the dying, care for orphans and animals, oversee weddings, funerals and holiday events.  They are called upon to assist when there is misfortune or disaster. They help families

decide when to start constructing a house or open a new business.  They are also called on to bless the house or business once work is complete.  The highest and most powerful Sangha authority is that of the His Majesty the King.

Kinds of Monks                                                                                   Within certain limits, monks chose for themselves the kind of lifestyle they will lead.  Usually, those who wear the darker robes are academicians who focus on

study, learning and teaching. Some monks eat meat and fish.  Others are strict vegetarians. Some handle money for certain reasons. Others never do. There are probably more differences that we don’t know about yet.

Monks answering questions from American Peace Corps volunteers and trainers.

Genesis Stock Photo

Daily Routine             From what we have been able to learn so far, daily routine is common to all monks. They rise early in the morning for meditation, usually about 4 a.m.   Around 6 a.m. they walk in long rows around town to collect food for the day and other alms from people.

They do not eat after 12 noon. If their person or garment is touched by a female, they must go through a process of cleansing.  They may not accept food or other items directly from the hand of a woman. They may not consume alcohol, have intimate physical relationships, or intentionally cause harm to any person or animal.  They act with compassion and kindness toward all living beings, and seek calmness and thoughtful reflection in themselves.

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