ทรรศนะของคนไทยปัจจุบันเกี่ยวกับบทบาทของพระสงฆ์ไทย

Abstract

This research studies contemporary Thai people’s opinions concerning the social roles of Thai monks by using questionnaires collected from a sample of 1,000 Thai people residing in the central region of the country. The result of the study reveals that the majority of the Thai people from the samples collected still consider Thai monks to play important roles in the following areas: Continuing the legacy of Buddhism, developing Buddhist education, social development and environmental preservation, performing activities related to the beliefs of the members of their society, and performing religious rites. Contemporary Thai monks are considered to have most significant roles in the education of monks and novices, and least significant roles in fortune telling. Moreover, contemporary Thai people believe that Thai monks should have important roles in the following areas respectively: (1) The continuation of Buddhist teaching (2) Education (3) Developmental projects (4) Providing welfare and (5) Performing ceremonies and belief-related activities.