Number of monks dropping nationwide

The number of monks and novices nationwide has dropped by 6,166 and 447 respectively when compared to 2007.

According to a survey, there were just 251,997 monks and 69,907 novices in Thailand last year.

The Sangha Supreme Council Office believes that the decrease in numbers stems mainly from the nationwide educational services being offered by the government.

In the past, boys from poverty-ridden families studied at ecclesiastical schools. Now, however, they have access to 15 years of free education thanks to the government.

"The basic and higher education being offered is of good quality, so most boys and men prefer completing their studies at normal schools," the council's secretary-general Amnart Buasiri said yesterday.

He added that the numbers might also have dropped due to other factors, such as reports about improper behaviour by some monks.

"We will submit the findings to the Sangha Supreme Council soon," Amnart said.

However, he said, some provinces had seen an increase in the number of monks. For instance, last year Bangkok had 15,369 monks, up from 14,405 a year earlier. The number of monks in Chachoengsao also rose from 2,607 in 2007 to 3,978 in 2008.

"An increase in numbers has also been reported in Yasothon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchabun," Amnart said.

Sangha Supreme Council member and Paknam Phasi Charoen Temple abbot Somdej Phra Maha Rajamangalajarn said the general level of academic scripture education was available at all ecclesiastical schools.

"But for higher levels, classes will available at main centres only. Every region will have one centre," the senior monk explained, adding that His Majesty greatly supported the education of monks and novices.

"His Majesty has set up a Fund for Monks' Education," the abbot said.

-- The Nation 2009-03-26

Number of monks dropping nationwide

The number of monks and novices nationwide has dropped by 6,166 and 447 respectively when compared to 2007.

According to a survey, there were just 251,997 monks and 69,907 novices in Thailand last year.

-- The Nation 2009-03-26

I wonder if this is necessarily "bad". A quarter of a million monks for a population of 63,000.

I think the question to ask is why a young man would choose to become a monk or remain a monk and live a life of relative poverty in a nation that is increasingly modern and somewhat affluent. Yes, I know, there is the spiritual reason, but that's something very difficult for any person to see.

With the decline of the world economy, a couple of years will probably see this trend reverse.

Number of monks dropping nationwide

The number of monks and novices nationwide has dropped by 6,166 and 447 respectively when compared to 2007.

According to a survey, there were just 251,997 monks and 69,907 novices in Thailand last year.

-- The Nation 2009-03-26

I wonder if this is necessarily "bad". A quarter of a million monks for a population of 63,000.

I think the question to ask is why a young man would choose to become a monk or remain a monk and live a life of relative poverty in a nation that is increasingly modern and somewhat affluent. Yes, I know, there is the spiritual reason, but that's something very difficult for any person to see.

Oops...of course I meant 63,000,000