Politics on Thai Buddhist Bhikkhunis’ Social Movements

Abstract

Abstract

The research served specific purposes to investigate Thai Buddhist bhikkhunis’ (female Buddhist monks) instigation in social domains (to become a legally ordained figure), pursue their wielding relations with Thai Monastic Order (Thai Sangha clery), and monitor their social movements. It was derived from the qualitative research. Target purposive sampling groups included key Informants, casual Informants and general informants 35 peoples. Findings have found the following outcomes. 1. Thai Buddhist bhikkhunis’ instigation in Thai social domains have found their regular, rigid roles in in fields of propagation, moral and ethical trainings as well as playing their such roles through all channels of mass media. As bhikkhunis, they have to stringently undergo more conduct codes than Buddhist male monks have performed. 2. Their wielding relations in Thai cultures with Thai Monastic Order have shown myriad uniqueness. It is a presentation between female and male physiques that lead to the belief that they are rather different in other aspects, no matters they are their wisdom, ability, competency, mind, and emotions. These are unable to change, leading to acknowledge that the female status is more inferior than the male one. 3. Buddhist bhikkhunis’ social movements under Thai Monastic Order’s laws have revealed the matter of sexism. The unrecognition of different methods to help women be able to be legalized as a bhikkhuni is not carried out. Thus, it results in making freedom of women’s rights unequal to men in Buddhism.