THE CONCEPT OF ORDINATION OF THERAVADA NUNS IN THAI SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY OF SONGTHAMKALYANI BHIKKHUNI MONASTERY BHIKKHUNI MONASTERY

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the concept of women's rights to ordain as nuns in Theravada Buddhism and 2) to study the guidelines for carrying out activities in the movement calling for women's rights to ordain as nuns in Buddhism. Theravada religion in Thai society. This research is qualitative research. By studying documents and in-depth interviews with key informants, including a group of nuns, a group of monks, and a group of teachers/academics.

The results of the document study found that: 1) Women's rights according to the guidelines for ordination as nuns in Buddhism.  It was a vision of women's ability to develop themselves and be able to achieve various levels of Dhamma. Therefore, the Buddha granted ordination to them. 2) Women's rights according to the concept of ordination of nuns in Thai society.  Seeing the potential of women that are no different from men They can come and act as the successors of Buddhism like other monks as well. Therefore there was a demand for religious rights in ordination. 3) Women's rights according to the concept of feminism. It is about pushing yourself out of your old belief system, pushing yourself to live in society and into the public world.  The results of the study from in-depth interviews found that Guidelines for carrying out activities in the women's rights movement for ordination as nuns in Theravada Buddhism in Thai society Activities that should be carried out in Movement demanding the right to ordain as a nun in Thai society as follows: 1) Activities to create social space for nuns and 2) Training activities to provide knowledge, training to provide knowledge. It is very important, especially for Buddhist monks.  Most monks will bring their religious knowledge to teach to their kith and kin in order to apply it in their daily lives.