This research aims to study (1) background of Buddhist novices in Theravāda , (2) the present state and problems of Buddhist novices in Thai society, and (3) guidelines to solve the Buddhism inheritance of Buddhist novices in Thai society. The results are found as follows:
1. Buddhist novice is a clergy man in Buddhism who is ordained through the process of threefold guides in order to keep ten Dhamma lessons. The Buddhist novice age is lower twenty years old.. Ruhula is the first Buddhist novice who became the Buddhist. purposes, qualifications, rules of becoming ordained, Dhamma lessons for ordination, decrees. Government is a burden of receptors and monks. Anubuddha novices were enlightened as Buddha did. Appearing in Tripitaka and other scriptures.
2. According to the present state, a number of Buddhists in the country allow their children to become novices and study as in the past. Because of poverty, parents can not afford their descendants’ education in the government educational institutes. Thus, allowing their descendants to become novices and study is a path for them to become educated and upgrade their social status. Because of groups of Thai monks’ far-sightedness about teenagers’ good education, an educational system for novices to study Dhamma principles, Pali, and general education is set up under the control of temple schools. Many problems of schools especially numbers of novices decrease urge those who are concerned to the state education and monks education to pat a close attention to the above mentioned problems. Because of the fact that novices have a very vital role in inheriting Buddhism, so every part of the society participate in dealing with this problem which many impact on the numbers of monks in the future as well.
3. Guidelines for inheriting Buddhism of novices are found that the family should have more concrete ideas for being novices studying Dhamma principles, Pali, and general education. Public relation should be also used. Novices should be also given a good care and a support of education. About economics, Dhamma principles related to livelihood should be applied to the present society. Novices also should apply moderateness (Muttunyuta) to live appropriately in the society. Bringing Buddhism to solve social problems is a must to do. Novices should also improve themselves to be good novices. About education, the government should consider equality, moral instruction, man improvement, and novices’ education. About Shanghai’s education, educational organizations such as teachers, update curriculum, international evaluation, and motivation to learners especially novices should be completely improved. After learning Dhamma and disciples, practice should be much focused. So, Buddhism inheritance will be clearer if novices follow what they have already learnt. They should give precedence to and admit the punishment for the sake of goodness, and happiness of Buddhism monks. |