Senior Monks in the Lower-Northeastern Thailand : Processes of Identity,Faith, Power, and Community Security Creation

Abstract

            The purposes of this research were to study the identity-creation processes of senior monks in the lower-northeastern Thailand, the creation of people’s faith towards the senior monks in lower-northeastern Thailand, and the building-up of community security by senior monks. The areas studied were in Tungmon, Prasat District, Surin Province, Praiwattana, Phoosing District, Srisaket Province, and Soongnoen, Krasang District, Buriram Province. These areas were the bases of the Venerable Hong Prompanyo, the Venerable Soung Mahamunee, and the Venerable Rit Rattanachoto, respectively.The research instruments were primary-survey form, participatory observations, structured interviews, and focus-group discussions to obtain conclusion in the processes of building community security in the areas of the senior monks in lower-northeastern Thailand.  The samples were selected purposively from the both monk and general population in Tungmon, Prasat District, Surin Province, Praiwattana, Phusing District, Srisaket Province, and Soongnoen Subdistrict, Krasang District, Buriram Province.  There were 40 experts, 40 practitioners/followers, and 40 lay persons, totaling 120 informants. The data were analyzed descriptively and qualitatively.  The research findings showed that most senior monks created identities by being merciful andsympathetic. They knew healing wisdoms that could lessen people’s suffering.  Each venerable had his own processes for creating faith such as possessing high-level of mediation power, practicing the Buddhist principles strictly, and creating so much merit and charity for the public that people tangibly gain benefits.  These actions brought about faith and respects.  In addition, monks created faith by developing communities. They were leaders in building dirt roads for transportation and digging wells for water consumption. They also did socialworks by donating scholarships to students and monks who were studying. Moreover, they built shops for people to sell goods. They built health treatment places and meditation centers. They offered money to help the poor.  Senior monks also built preschool childcare centers to reduce parent’s burden. In terms of Dharma teaching, they instructed people according to Buddha’s instructions, principles, and meditation.  In terms of preserving traditions, they organized projects to teach precepts and moralities to the community. They provided opportunities for practicing meditation and holding religious activities. They built up security of the community by making amulets and sacred objects and building places to preserve bodies of respectable monks which could sooth people soul and get rid of their agony. They also taught people to behave well and life lives with integrity and led to development in the body and mind. These activities are reputable and deserved to be studied and recorded.