Thai Monks

This a vast and complicated subject that I have condensed to the salient points. This is intended as a rough overall guide.

About 95 percent of Thais are Buddhist, they believe in the Lord Buddha and his teachings (dhamma). Many young men decide to be come monks, or join the 'Sangha' (official order of monks) Most join for a 3 month term, some for much longer. By entering the sangha a young man will bring his family good karma in the future.

The Sangha is divided into two sects, the Mahanikai and the Thammayut. There are about 1 Thammayut to 35 Mahanikai monks. Both sects adhere to 227 monastic vows as written in the Vinya Pitaka (Buddhist scriptures) Below I have listed the 5 basic rules -

Refrain from destroying living beings
Refrain from taking what is not given
Refrain from sexual misconduct
Refrain from false speech
Refrain from taking intoxicants

A typical day would consist of - wake up 4:00 am, one hour's meditation, followed by one hour of chanting. At midday lunch is eaten, followed by Buddhist teachings. At 6:00pm there is two hours of meditation. 8:00 they retire.

For the ordained monk, there are 4 cardinal rules which, if broken will result in his immediate expulsion from the monk-hood. These are -

Engaging in sexual relations
Committing theft
Committing murder
Claiming superhuman powers

Deciding to become a monk in Thailand requires a rigorous life of morality. The making of merit is emphasized in Thai Buddhism, as opposed to the goal of transcending karma as the Buddha achieved. Making merit, especially when it is merit given to someone else. such as family, is both legitimate and widely practiced in the kingdom of Thailand.