Theravada Buddhist Monk and the Making of Modern Thai Society With Special Reference to Phra Brahmagunabhorn (P.A. Payutto)
Asst.Prof.Dhanapon Somwang Sripatum University Bangkok Thailand dhanapon.so@spu.ac.th
Venerable Phra Brahmagunabhorn, also known as by pen name Prayudh Payutto or P.A.Payutto, regarded as the modern monk in the present day who is widely
acknowledged and respected in Thailand, especially among Buddhist scholars and intellectuals of almost all spheres, as the author of Buddhadhamma and for his profound insight on how to apply Buddhist thought to wider social issues.
This paper will explore and look at the dynamics of Thai society through the relationship between his role as Theravada Buddhist monk and modernizing of Thai society.
In response to modernity, he suggested that Thai people must get at the foundation of being Thai that based on Theravada Buddhism and one must stay current in own knowledge of western thought, way of life, and society, especially American life and society. In his perspective, Buddhist wisdom is very valuable as it can be solved the problems in Thai society and more than that, can be the foundation of the making modern Thai society.
