Lokavajja: When the Criticism of People Forced Monks to Renounce Their Monkhood

Abstract

This article examines the meaning, role, and social implications of the concept of lokavajja (worldly blame) in Theravada Buddhism. It explains lokavajja as a social mechanism linking monastic discipline (Vinaya) to public faith and moral expectations. The study employs documentary and conceptual analysis based on Buddhist canonical texts, as well as scholarship in the sociology and anthropology of religion. The findings reveal that lokavajja is not merely a secondary disciplinary principle but also a form of moral authority exercised by society, directly affecting the status of Buddhist monks. In contemporary Thai society, where mass and social media amplify public criticism, worldly blame can exert significant pressure on monks to voluntarily disrobe, even when no serious Vinaya offense has been committed. The study argues that lokavajja functions as a socio-cultural phenomenon that reflects power relations among religion, media, and society in contemporary Thailand. It also demonstrates how public moral judgment continues to shape the legitimacy and social standing of the Buddhist monastic community.