Buddhism Research Paper

As with most belief systems, tradition and cultural heritage in Buddhism influence an adherents way of life, by providing guidelines for correct living. The future of Buddhism is determined by the adherence to Buddhist tradition and the continuation of its particular cultural heritage. For the purpose of this essay, tradition is defined as a long established or inherited way of thinking or acting, and cultural heritage is defined as is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation.

In this essay I will focus on the role of Buddhism in Thailand, and how the absence of pure Buddhism has led to a compromise of both Buddhist and traditional Thai ideology. The place of gender roles in Buddhism
Previously, the only residence of a mae chi was in a temple, however in a separate community (samnak chi) from the men, in accordance with Theravada practices. In more recent times, about 850 nunneries have been established to provide the mae chi with a more comfortable and respectable living arrangement, where they are not encouraged to be subordinate to the male monastery (Falk, p.40). Falk explains how mae chi from a nunnery in central Thailand find it more appropriate to live in such an institution, as monks and nuns should have separate practices. Here, the nuns have the opportunity to practice things restricted in mae chi temple life, such as study, teaching, chanting and administration (Suanmokkh, 2006)The nunnery also provides educational opportunities for the mae chi, with schools beginning to be attached to the nunnery, and the university Mahidol allowing both monks and nuns to study, along with two Buddhist universities in Bangkok (Geller and LeVine, 2005, p.158). Such an access to this education will develop the mae chis understanding of the Buddhist texts, and ascertain the same degree of religious wisdom that their male counterparts hold. The Mae Chi Institute, which was established in 1972 under the patronage of the Queen, aims to encourage intellectual and spiritual development. Such an organisation can be seen as defying the patriarchal tradition of education, previously encouraged in Thai Buddhism, and creates a new cultural heritage for future nuns wishing to undertake