The Crisis in the Number of Religious Heirs to Preserve Buddhism
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Abstract
The purpose of this research article is to present the crisis situation of the declining number of ordained monks, with the trend indicating a continuous decrease. It highlights that there is a decreasing number of individuals entering the monastic order as novice monks, while those who are already ordained monks are unable to remain in the monastic life for an extended period to serve as a significant force in the preservation and propagation of Buddhism.
The continuous decrease in the number of ordained monks is evident not only in the overall quantity but also in the declining enrollment of students in Dhamma schools. The diminishing number of novice monks entering Dhamma schools consistently supports the observation of a nationwide decline in the number of ordained monks. The decline in the number of ordained monks arises from both individual-level and structural-level issues. At the individual level, this decline is attributed to uncertainties regarding socioeconomic status, welfare, and education, with the following details: 1) In terms of socioeconomic status, it is found that there is uncertainty regarding the level of violence, security, and warmth that ordained monks can receive from the monastic community; 2) In terms of welfare, there is uncertainty regarding the level of care provided, such as nutrition and healthcare, during times of illness or distress; and 3) In terms of education, there is uncertainty regarding the quality of education within the monastic community. At the structural level, there is evidence of social and educational disparities. In terms of the social aspect, there is an imbalance between the demand for ordained monks and the actual number of individuals entering the monastic order. As for educational disparities, the educational system within the monastic community exhibits distinct differences in quality compared to external schools.
The guidelines for solving problems at the individual level require the promotion of motivation for ordination in children, adolescents and their parents. Motivation is associated with two important components: 1) Serving as a mechanism to stimulate action, and 2) Acting as a compelling force for action with direction. The establishment of motivation should commence at the institutional level, involving collaboration among family institutions, educational institutions, religious institutions, and the government. This collective effort aims to foster motivation effectively. By utilizing the systems of socioeconomic status, welfare, and education as tools, motivation can be generated to ensure that children, adolescents, and their families are confident that once they enter the monastic order as ordained monks, they will not be abandoned or left behind. They will experience security and have access to an adequate educational system. With sufficient and effective tools to generate motivation, the quantity of ordained monks will steadily increase, providing the strength necessary for the preservation and propagation of Buddhism.
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