Western Buddhist Monks, Forest Buddhist Monks: Faith Way and Practice Patterns to Universal

Abstract

The research entitled “Western Buddhist Monks, Forest Buddhist Monks: Faith Way and Practice Patterns to Universal” consists of the following objectives: 1) to study the faith way of the forest Buddhist monks, 2) to study the practice patterns and the Buddhist propagational evolution of the western Buddhist monks in Thailand and 3) to convey the faith way and practice of the forest western Buddhist monks in Thailand. A relevant academic paper studying and in-depth interviews with key informants, focus groups as well and knowledge transfer activity were used in this research. Finally, presented by descriptive analytical method.

The results of the research showed that:

1) The practice of forest monks in Buddhism found that they were monks who practiced meditation and asceticism in the forest, but nowadays the forest is not as abundant as the past. Therefore, they only live in the temple which was built outside the community area.

2) The forms and development of Buddhist propagation of western forest Buddhist monks in Thailand. They were fond that to refer to international Buddhist monks ordained in the forest division. In Thailand, it is a monk who lives in the forest. The emphasis is placed on the practice of meditation, insight meditation practice, which aims to bring to the Nibbana (final goal). The Western monks in Thailand have a unique style of propagating Buddhism that is different from the general Dhamma missionaries of the Thai Buddhist Sangha. At this point, it is a mission that adhered to practice by following Wat Nong Pah Pong, which consists of 1) the threefold training, 2) austere practice, and 3) fourteen Vatara.

3) Form of Transmission of faith practices and practices to the international standards of Western Buddhist practices in Thailand was found that adherence to the Royal family, emphasis on the principles and observance of the Vinaya, a very strict selection process for monks, strictly follow the masters and teachers. The construction of the new branch temples, inside and abroad must be approved by the monastic assembly and not abandoned by the practices. The mission pattern consists of a physical trend that emphasizes peace, light, and cleanliness, and supports the practice of the Dhamma. There is propagation through sermons, writing books, and online propagation flatform in both Thai and English and focused on Loving-kindness and compassion.