Effects of the Way of Life and Behavior of Monks of Wat Pa on People Life Quality

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to study the patterns of conservation of Buddhist traditions and practices of monks of Wat Pa (the forest temple) and to study the effects of the monks’ behavior on the quality of life of the people living in the communities surrounding Wat Pa. It is a qualitative research based on a documentary and fieldwork study. The basic data was collected by studying circumstances, the way of life of monks, duties of monks, principles of conduct, student’s duty towards a teacher, student’s duty towards a preceptor, including important daily monastic observances as practiced in various temples that give importance to the meditation practice, and the effects of the monks’ behavior on the quality of life of the people living in the communities surrounding Wat Pa through the researchers’ observation. Other methods of data collection were also adopted such as an in-depth interview with the main information providers and focus group discussion. Data analysis was to summarize, interpret, and then present in a descriptive form.
The results of the research revealed that the monks of Wat Pa strictly adhered to the discipline of the Sangha with their practice inherited from the teachers. The practice of any of Thirteenfold Austere Practice (Dhutaṅga) was at individual monk’s choice to seriously refine his own mind from defilements. The practice of monastic observances in accordance with the inherited patterns based on the intrinsic nature of a person (Carita) of the individual monk led him to find out the absolute truth. The effects of the monks’ behavior on the quality of life of the people were divided into three aspects, namely physical aspects in terms of good, strong, refreshed physical health because of performing a routine; mental aspects in terms of mental health with a bright, pure, delighted mind because of the joy of having a role model for peace and happiness and also staying in control of one own emotion when in more developed practice; intellectual aspect in terms of clear intelligence, clear vision of problems, and immediate solution to problems. With the depth of wisdom, one can see the conventional truth and eventually the ultimate truth.