Plans afoot to revive pledge to Buddhism

The Nation, Dec 1, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- Deputy Interior Minister Banyat Chansena yesterday proposed that all Buddhist children formally pledge their allegiance to Buddhism when they are eight years old - a tradition adopted during the reign of King Rama VI.

He said the idea was part of a long-term government plan to promote morality among Thai youth. The practice would encourage Thai people to observe Buddhist teachings more closely and appreciate Dharma earlier.

Banyat said a large number of Thai people entered temples only once - for their own funerals. He said the practice should not be considered a coercive measure, as other major world religions required their believers to undergo affirmation rituals.

The government plan also proposed a "Prototype Temples" project that would encourage abbots and monks to improve their spiritual public services and act as centres of their communities. The three-year project would begin in January and involve 5,500 temples and around 550,000 Buddhists. PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan said she agreed with Banyat's proposal and the project but would think again about the latter issue and decide whether she would raise it in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Famed Buddhist scholar Sathienphong Wannapok praised the proposal, saying it should help with the teaching of morals in schools across the country.

He also proposed allowing Buddhist nuns to vote, saying that

more than 200,000 women "of good quality" were being prevented from participating in helping to develop the country.

He said the Buddhist sacrament rituals were adopted widely during the reign of King Rama VI but had lost ground. Moral teaching should still be provided during high school and university years, he suggested.

Phra Thamma Kosajarn, abbot of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, called on Buddhists to participate in the "Prototype Temples" project, which he said should be continued beyond the proposed three-year period.

The Buddhist Channel - Donate to Support Our Work



An Appeal

In deep gratitude for your support! We are half way to meeting our target (US$ 10,400 of US$ 18,000 already achieved)!

The Buddhist Channel is a dedicated group of "mindful communication practitioners" striving to make a positive impact on the Buddhist community. We deeply believe in the power of mindful journalism and are reaching out to you with a heartfelt request for your support. Your donation, no matter the size, can make a tangible difference in the lives of countless Buddhist monastics, local communities and other dedicated engaged workers. With your help, we make their stories known, and thereby opening up avenues for them to obtain sustainable support for their work.

Please indicate whether your support will be a donation or a loan. We will get back to you via email. We thank you in advance for providing us financial relieve. May the Buddha Dharma ever be your guide and protector.

Note: To date, we have received the following:

US$ 900 from Esa Myllykoski (donation)
US$ 9,500 from Lance Edwards/Kau Soo Kin (loan)

We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.

If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv

TOP