The way of life of the Buddhist monk Mueang Roi-Et district in the situation of the Coronavirus 2019 epidemic

Abstract

This research article has the objective 1) to study the daily lifestyle of monks in Mueang Roi Et District in the situation of the outbreak of coronavirus 2019 and 2) to study the lifestyle guidelines of monks in Mueang Roi Et District in the situation of the outbreak coronavirus 2019 using qualitative research methods. The target groups for the interview included 25 monks living in Mueang Roi Et District by selecting the population purposively. The research tool is an interview form. Data were analyzed and presented descriptively.
The results of research found that:
1) Living according to the monks’ routines, they have adjusted their routines to suit the situations that occur in all 6 situations, including alms, sweeping areas within the temple, confession of an offense, chanting, practicing paccavekkhaṇa (ideas to be constantly reviewed by a monk), and fostering bhāvanā (development). The new religious routine includes wearing a mask at all times, maintaining social distancing, washing hands with alcohol gel, and cleaning the temple areas on a regular basis to ensure that all monks coexist in harmony. So that the monks live together in the same direction as well as encouraging monks to have daily routines that are modern in today’s society.
2) The way of life of monks has been adapted to suit the current situation, which includes the following five aspects: the way of life, following the government measures,
organizing activities on Buddhist festivals, conducting social welfare, and new way of life. This includes wearing a surgical mask or a cloth face mask, organizing activities during Buddhist festivals, and conducting classes online in accordance with Ministry of Public Health guidelines. The temple should also serve as a center for community assistance and welfare, as well as a model for generating food security based on the ‘Bowon’ (villages, temples, schools) principles. All of this helps monks, novices, and the general public become aware of the situation and how to protect themselves from coronavirus 2019.