Wat and the Sangha in Thailand are deemed to be institutions fundamental to the existence of Buddhism standing aloof from worldliness. In reality, however, Wat and the Sangha are unavoidably influenced by social, political and especially economic environments. This is because Wat has religious expenses as well as other private institutions have their own Yet there has been no elaborate studies on the development of the economy of the Wat in Thailand before. The purpose of this thesis, therefore is to analyse the Wat economy in Bangkok between 2325 BE-2453 BE. Which was the period during which a great change occurred in the Wat economy. The development of the Wat economy was closely related to the bigger economic system. We should understand the government’s policies toward the Wat economy and the impact of the change in the Wat economy on the economy and the society as a whole. The research reveals that although the Wat did not originate as economic institution, Wat and economy was connected since the former time because Wat possessed the major means of production i.e. land and labor. By this Wat became one of the prosperous economic institutions in the history of Thai feudalism. Nevertheless, the fact that the economy of the Wat was supported principally by the government and townsmen and that Buddism, unlike the Catholic Church. In the Middle Age of Europe, had never been so powerful that it became a challenge to the Kingdom made the Wat economy dependent on the government. It was unable to evolve into a powerful economic institution. Moreover the rules and disciplines of Sangha hampend its economic development. Yet Wat benefited from this dependent relations privileges bestowed from the government and the belief of being the people “Fuca-na-bun” (the field on which man cultivates merit). The belief that Wat and the Sangha symbolized the survival of the religion enabled Wat to reap profits from the people discreetly and the people were reaped voluntarily hoping that the merit would reward them with a better life. Consequently the government and the people spent a great deal for religious activities. Wat turned this benefic into such a stable economic base. Some Wat became Self-reliant. Since Wat absorbed a great deal of benefits from the society while returned very little, Wat was, in a way , ruining the economy and the society. In the reign of King Rama V, the economy of the Wat was so prosperous that some became economic institution with business operated by managers. The struggle for survival under such feudal-capitalist economic system caused Wat to abandon its religious duty and integrity. The deviation from the original purpose of Wat in Bangkok to become the petty bourgeosic at present is indeed a matter of great concern
SUBJECT
religion
history
LOCATION
CALL#
STATUS
Thailand and ASEAN Information Center (6th Floor) : Thesis