| eginning of a separation in the period of modernization | | | | areas and the intellectuals, identified themselves with |
| Buddhism in Thailand reached the modern period under | | | | Western thought and culture. In doing this, they |
| warm support of the king and the people, without the | | | | gradually isolated themselves from the traditional Thai |
| interruption of colonial persecution or suppression. Side | | | | society, a term which was usually used to refer to the |
| by side with the people, the monks came into | | | | backward rural areas and the uneducated or the |
| encounter with Western civilization. Hand in hand with | | | | old-fashioned. One who tried not to be isolated |
| the secular government the monkhood started on | | | | sometimes found himself a man of twin personalities: a |
| modernization. Under King Chulalongkorn (Rama V; | | | | traditional Thai and a Westernized modern Thai. For |
| 2411-53/1868-1910) the structure of the secular | | | | these people Buddhist institutions were associated with |
| government was changed to adopt a new pattern | | | | the traditional Thai society or, at least, the traditional |
| and a modern Western system of public education | | | | personality, and Buddhism was identified with traditional |
| was introduced. With the assistance of the | | | | cultural activities. Thus, Buddhism made itself accessible |
| King’s half-brother, the Monk-prince | | | | only to one part or one half of Thai society, the less |
| Vajirananฺa-Varorasa, who later became a | | | | privileged and waning half. Buddhism and the modern |
| supreme patriarch, an important role in public education | | | | Thai society gradually isolated themselves from each |
| was assigned to the monks, a new form of | | | | other. Thai Buddhism has put itself in a more and more |
| ecclesiastical government was established, and a | | | | narrowed confinement. The monkhood finds no place |
| foundation was laid for the modernization of | | | | in the intelligentsia except for a few individual monks. |
| ecclesiastical set of the Pali Canon, known as the | | | | They have lost intellectual leadership or leadership in |
| Royal Siamese Tripitฺaka. A royal library was | | | | the modernized sector of Thai society. Under the |
| erected for the preservation of Buddhist sacred books | | | | modern Westernized system of education, Thai youth |
| and rare scriptures. Two royal Buddhist academies, | | | | have to a large extent been alienated from Buddhism |
| Mahamakut and Mahachulalongkorn, were founded | | | | and also, to a lesser extent, from traditional Thai |
| with a plan to function in due course as Sangha | | | | culture. Thailand’s modern system of education |
| colleges or universities providing for monks and | | | | is sometimes accused of being education for |
| novices advanced Buddhist studies along with modern | | | | Westernization or education for alienation of Thai |
| higher education. | | | | youth. |
| With the end of the reign of King. Chulalongkorn, things | | | | To the traditional Thai society and to the traditional |
| changed for the worse. The process of modernization | | | | personality of a modern Thai, Buddhism usually takes |
| continued on the part of the secular sector, but on the | | | | the form of merit-making acts and Buddhist festivals |
| ecclesiastical side it was kept going for only a short | | | | and ceremonies. To the old-fashioned or the more |
| period of time and then waned. The monkhood was | | | | traditional, this usually extends to include the faithful |
| put in a losing position. Monks were retired from their | | | | observance of some basic rules of morality. Few of |
| role in public education, though most of the public | | | | the later traditional Buddhists, however, have intellectual |
| schools were still housed in monastery compounds | | | | knowledge of the Buddha’s teachings or care |
| and the monks still collected donations for the building | | | | to learn about them. The majority of them are given to |
| of these schools. Preliminary arrangements for modern | | | | celebrations and temple fairs and festivals. Superstition |
| higher Buddhist education were set aside and the plans | | | | and astrology still play an important part in their lives, |
| were not undertaken. Without open suppression, there | | | | both individual and social. Monks themselves for the |
| was no urge to activity. The monks fell into inactivity | | | | most part focus their attention only on monastic affairs |
| and became attached to traditionalism. Being deprived | | | | inside the Wat and place emphasis on the construction |
| of their deserved responsibility, they became | | | | of monastic buildings. They are usually seen blessing |
| underemployed and many developed the habit of | | | | religious ceremonies by chanting or ceremonial |
| idleness, living only on the rich inheritance of traditional | | | | preaching and inducing the adherents to make |
| popular support. | | | | donations for a monastic building. Optimistically, |
| A WIDENING GAP BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL | | | | however, in rural areas, social leadership of the monks |
| SANGHA AND THE MODERN INTELLECTUALS | | | | is still maintained. Monasteries remain, to a large extent, |
| For the Thai public, an encounter with the West did not | | | | centres of social life of the communities. Monks still |
| mean a reaction against it, as in the countries that | | | | play traditional roles helping people towards their |
| were once under colonial rule. But, on the contrary, it | | | | well-being, both spiritual and temporal. The monkhood |
| meant an eagerness to learn and to imitate. Strong | | | | still serves the society as a main source of social |
| nationalism, with which Buddhism as a national cultural | | | | mobility and provides much for the lessening of the |
| heritage is usually identified, also has not been widely | | | | unequality of opportunity in education. But, unfortunately, |
| developed and cannot be relied upon as a wall against | | | | these roles are rarely played on a conscious level and |
| Western secularism. People who first found access to | | | | there is a fear of losing them. |
| modern technology of the West, usually those in urban | | | | |