MODERN THREATS FOR MONKS CHALLENGES AND PRACTICES IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

The digital information age, known as information and communication technology, plays an important role in our daily lives. As spiritual leaders and propagators of the Dharma, monks must face new challenges arising from changes in society and technology. The new threats that monks face in the digital age, whether they are affected by monks themselves or by others, and present appropriate practices to cope with these challenges. The new threats that monks face include the inappropriate use of social media, being lured by worldly benefits, the decline of faith in Buddhism, the lack of knowledge and understanding of the Dharma and the disciplinary rules, and being threatened by ill-intended groups. These threats affect the role and image of monks in Thai society.