The Dynamics of Maintaining the Status of a Forest Monastery of the Phra Achan Man Lineage: A Study of Wat Pa Thom Na Ngam, Udon Thani Province

Abstract

Forest monasteries rooted in the lineage of Phra Achan Man are currently confronting challenges in maintaining their natural environment and meditative space while improving interactions with adjacent villages. To explore the spatial development of forest monastery and analyze social dynamics between monks and local villagers, the study collected pilot data from forest monasteries across eight northeastern provinces of Thailand by using qualitative methods. The findings showed that Wat Pa Thom Na Ngam in Udon Thani province continued to maintain numerous characteristics of a forest monastery while pursuing its own development path. Integrating Henri Lefebvre’s triad space theory with the concept of social dynamics, the study revealed that during the “spatial practice” process, the abbot assimilated the teachings of Phra Achan Man to ensure that the architectural space retained its original scale and harmonious relationship with nature. Successive abbots cultivated a mental space with Phra Achan Man’s core teachings through their preaching and meditation practices, encouraging nearby villagers to meditate in the monastery. Faced with a decline in the monastic population, the present abbot disseminated the concept of land and forest resource usage by sharing agricultural land with community members to transcend their traditional merit-making and Dhamma practices. This sharing accomplished mutual assistance and reciprocity between the forest monastery and the community as well as meeting villagers’ spiritual needs and the monastery’s self-adjustments. A social space was formed in which secular and religious components were blended. The development model of the forest monastery provides valuable experiences for improving other forest monasteries in the northeast region of Thailand.