An editorial columnist once raised some questions: Is Buddhism in contemporary Thailand at the crossroads? What is really happening to our national religion? She attempted to shed a light on the situation of orthodox Theravada Buddhism in contemporary Thailand giving that some monks have been involved in controversial scandals over the past decades concerning commercialization, animism, anachronistic practice, sex and drug abuse. Do these controversies spell doom for Buddhism in our country? In her book, she state:
" Although Buddhism is the dominant religion of Thailand, it has been weakened over the past century by the advent of modernization - so much so that many critics now see it as little more than a set rite and ceremonies
In Thailand of old, the temple used to be a center of education and social life in the community. This tradition disappeared with secularism. Hypnotized by the new magic of science, past war educated Thais have grow up to see Buddhism - given its emphasis
on merit making. heaven, hell and the magic practised by many monk - as simply superstition.
Worse yet, the various scandals involving monks and sex, corruption and commercialization of Buddhism have become so routine that public faith in the clergy has shaken. The authoritarian clergy stubbornly refuse to reform a feudal administrative structure, which breeds corruption, nepotism and oppression by its lack of transparency. But it's not all bad news in the world of Thai Buddhism.
Although the clergy faces a crisis of faith, there is a resurgence of interest in Buddhism in contemporary Thailand as many turn to meditation and the reading of Dhamma books once again.
After 40 years of industrialization, many have found that materialism has brought little happiness. Instead of greater certainty, the complexity of the modern world has brought just the opposite. Plagued by insecurity and rapid change, people have begun looking again for meaning in life. Many fall back on their cultural roots - and Buddhism. "
S. Sivaraksa comments on the degenerating situation of Buddhism in Thailand in his Bangkok Post article : "... because money and success are still the true religion and the ultimate ends of today. And for many, religions are but a tool to make them perform their duty better and more success effectively. "
He has also condemned the quarrel between the monk mob - supporters and the opponents of the draft Sangha bill by saying that both side had hidden agenda. " It was the fight for the Supreme Patriarch position between the most senior monk of Mahanikaya and the popular monk of Dhammayut. " S. Sicaraksa took to task the latter monk for non - clerical conduct. His criticism range from soliciting donations to help bail out the country after the economic crisis, to campaigning in support of the prime minister during the wealth cover - up trail last year.
More than that, a group of Buddhism monks staged a " sit - in " protest in front of the parliament, holding a poster bearing the words " No Buddhism - No Thailand " whilst waiting to hear the Senate's response to their call for the creation of Ministry of Buddhism and Thai culture.
Phra Dhammaptaka ( P.A. Payutto ), a highly respected venerable Buddhism scholar, reiterates that the root cause of the current exploitation of Buddhism lies in the Buddhist follower's lack black magic and supernatural powers. The public obsession with occultism is often overlooked by even the most ardent critics, who tend to focus on a monk's sexual misconduct while ignoring
their use of black magic and their luxurious life styles, which also violate clerical discipline. Even newspapers, which pride themselves in exposing influential monks, still devote valuable space to stories of amulet magic and advertisement for temple amulet business, an obvious manifestation of the commercialization of Buddhism. People give money to monks whom they believe possess supernatural power to bring good luck and fortune. They no longer care about the monk's personal behavior, or how he uses his donations. They care only that their own interests are met. Enterprising monk who take advantage of the popular belief in black magic often use money to support lesser monk and offer expensive gifts to high ranking monk as a way of building up personal influence while their followers are often influential politicians and and businessmen.
Phra Dhammapitaka also states that, mind today's exploitation of Buddhism, society could reassert control over monks if lay Buddhist return to the Buddhist principle of self - reliance. Buddhism teaches that everyone can improve oneself and everything can be rectified through one's own actions of constant self - training. Buddhism teaches us that we can not transfer our responsibilities to outside forces.
Phra Dhammapitaka also states that, amid today's exploitation of Buddhism, society could reassert control over monks if lay Buddhist principle of self - reliance. Buddhism teaches that everyone can improve oneself and everything can be rectified through one's own actions of constant self - training. Buddhism teaches us that we can not transfer our responsibilities to outside forces.
Phra Dhammapitaka quotes Lord Buddha's teaching in the last exhortation before the last exhortation before the announcement of his coming death:
" Buddhism will wax or wane, depending directly on the ability of the four Buddhist Assemblies to be able to comprehend and practise correctly the Buddha's teaching, their ability to interpret and transfer the Buddhist principles correctly to others with compassion and their ability to criticize and correct the wrong views of non - Buddhist belief of the people who misunderstand the Buddha's real teaching. "
Thus, we, the Buddhist followers, in order to protect the religion from degradation, instead of continuing to criticize the Sangha which may lead to blasphemy, should act correctly, by carefully studying and scrutinizing the Buddha's teachings and then managing ourselves along the right path, in order to attain the ultimate goal of life.
By THE BUDDHA'S Core Teachings
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