A Buddhism’s Based Model of Almshouse in Thai Society

Abstract

This Articles aimed (1) to study the teachings of giving and almshouse in Buddhism, (2) to study almshouse according to Buddhism in Thai society, and (3) to analyze the giving through almshouse according to Buddhism in Thai society.

The resuls of the research found that

1) Dana (giving) is a teaching that the Buddha taught his disciples, monks (Bhikkhu - Bhikkhunī) and householders (Upasaka - Upasikā). The buddha taught that the Dharmadāna is better than Āmisadāna because Dharmadāna will provide a way to develop life into a noble man. At the same time, ̄Amisadāna is as a nourishing factor of life that monks have to receive from the householders. There are three types of an almshouse in Buddhist scriptures: (1) permanent almshouse that opens all the times, (2) Temporary almshouse that open only some periods of time, and (3) Specific almshouse that opens only on a major incident.

2) Almshouse in Thai society organized according to the value of giving of many sectors: (1) Buddhism, (2) spiritual shrines, (3) Government agencies in social work, and (4) volunteer foundations. The public volunteer organizations have been organized almshouse in Thai society since the Sukhothai Period to the present. There is three types of an almshouse in Thai society: (1) permanent established almshouse at the Buddhist temples and meditation centers. (2) temporary setting almshouse at merit-making event place, for instance, the royal funeral of the king’s dead body. And (3) specific almshouse that set up By the place of a disaster such as a flood and fire at the community. The people who set up almshouse in Thai society are (1) Buddhist temples, (2) Government agencies, (3) Shrines of vegetarian, (4) volunteer foundation, charitable organizations, and (5) the general people. The people who received the distribution from the temple to the monks, novices, nuns, and meditation practitioners. While the people who received distributions from the disaster shelter are disaster victims, relatives, government officials, and public volunteers. The items distributed in the almshouse are mostly food and beverages (juices), only some places that can offer house (Prefabricated Houses, construction equipment), pets, seeds, and vehicles.

3) The giving through almshouse according to Buddhism in Thai society is widely popular activity among the Buddhist monks and government, private and general public sectors. The items distributed in the almshouse were mostly food and drink. Some places are of too many duplicated items make a lot of leftovers.