The Factors Affecting Ordination: A Case Study of Buddhists in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province

Abstract

This research article aims to 1) study the factors affecting ordination and compare them by classifying according to personal factors. 2) study the suggestions on the problems and solutions to the factors affecting ordination. This objective is a case study of Buddhists in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. This research is quantitative research, which is a sample group of 238 monks and novices in the area out of 628 monks and novices in the area. The sample size criteria were used from the Krejcie and Morgan table. The questionnaire was used with questions that were consistent with the objectives of this research. There were 4 questionnaires about the personal information of the respondents, 30 questions about the research topic, and 3 open-ended questions. The questionnaire was created from the study of documents and related research. The statistics used in the research were percentage, mean, standard deviation, and simple correlation coefficient. The research results found that 1) the factor affecting ordination in terms of self-determination had the highest mean ( = 4.43, S.D = 0.23), followed by the influence of others with the mean ( = 4.36, S.D = 0.31), and the influence of mass media had the lowest mean ( = 4.31, S.D = 0.31). The different personal factors affecting ordination did not affect ordination. 2) The collection of suggestions for factors affecting ordination found that self-determination had the highest influence, including the promotion of education before and during ordination to truly understand the principles of Dhamma and the strict examination of the background of those who will ordain. The next most frequent was the promotion or assistance in various arrangements for those who want to ordain and the promotion to truly understand ordination. The influence of mass media had the least frequency, which was the dissemination of correct information about Buddhism.