CRITIQUES ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BHIKKHUNI ORDER IN THAILAND

Establishment of Bhikkhuni Ordination:

Two questions could be raised;

Why did the Buddha hesitate to establish the Bhikkhuni Ordination?

Social Factor: Avoiding the social criticism

Why did the Buddha accept the giving Ordination to female? Enlightenment Factor: Concerning their ability in attaining enlightenment

Buddhism in Thailand

• 1st introduction: Elder Sona and Uttara (3rd Century, but was not firmly established)

• 2nd introduction: King Anuruddha of Burma in 1057 A.D. (North Thailand)

• 3rd introduction: Mahasami Sangharaja of Sri Lanka 12th Century (Sokhothai Period/ Lankvong)

• Buddhism preserves in Thailand only with three assemblies;

• Bhikkhu• Upāsaka• Upāsikā(No any record about

Bhikkhuni)

• A controversy among Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia and Thailand

• In Sri Lanka: Reforming of Bhikkhuni Ordination is an issue, still this Ordination couldn’t get the state recognition

• Number of bhikkhunis is increasing

In Thailand Two Opinions

• Bhikkhuni Ordination is possible:• Even though there is not assistance of bhikkhu

as evidenced in Pali Canon, only the bhikkhunis can give the ordination to a woman

• Its impossible: • There is no necessary of the bhikkhuni

Ordination as Buddhism is still preserved in Thailand with those three assemblies

• In 2471, the Supreme Patriarchy of Thai, Somdej Kromaluanngjinavarasirivaddhana

has made an statement with prohibiting the establishment of Bhokkhuni Order. If some one tries to do it, he/she disunions the Thai Sangha, or he/she is an enemy of Buddhism.

• Even the Thai male sangha in various criticism. They are also facing with various social

challenges. No guarantee that the bhikkhini sangha would

not have any problems and challenges.