Buddhist monks have always been accorded great respect for renouncing worldly pleasures and seriously undertaking study of the Buddha's teaching to attain 'perfect manhood'.
Thai Buddhist monk hood differs from that of other religions in several ways. In Thailand's tropical climate, the monk's austere life is never unduly severe. Though a monk is celibate and may not be touched by a woman, even his mother, his life is not totally cloistered. Meditating monks excepted, daily contact with the laity is commonplace, mostly during morning collections of alms beyond the monastery precincts, and at various ceremonies and festivals.
Monks abide by strict monastic discipline, observing 227 rules governing their behavior. The breaking of the four principal rules - theft, homicide of inciting another to suicide, sexual relations or claiming magical powers - will result in immediate expulsion from the monastic order.
Unlike other monastic regimens, Buddhist monk hood does not demand manual labor of its monks. Physical work is recognized as having value in allaying destructive thoughts and desires. However, the Buddhist monk, preferring annihilation of temptation and craving to suppress them, elects to seek and destroy them through meditation.
Freedom of discussion is allowed. A Buddhist monk may question and part of the Buddha's teaching - He may study parts of the doctrine he feels important to his advancement and choose his own time to meditate. Except for the three months of the annual Rains Retreat, he is free to travel, a legacy from Buddhism's earliest days when the Buddha and his disciples led itinerant life.
A monk may leave the monk hood any time he wishes. The Thai ordination is a public notice of a man's intention to follow the Buddha's teaching. He is not obliged to remain a monk for life, nor does any stigma attach should he decide to return to secular life.
Although Buddhism flourished during the Ayutthayan period, historically little is known of Ayutthayan Buddhism because of the near total destruction of the Kingdom's records. The year following 1767 found Buddhism in disarray. The situation improved when the first Chakri king, Rama I, re-established religious as well as social order.
Today, Theravada Buddhism is the professed religion of over 90% of the Thai people, and profoundly influences everyday life. It finds expression in the Thais' tolerance and kindness towards their fellow men, regardless of race, creed or nationality. It is visibly strengthened by the close daily contact the laity enjoys with Buddhist monks during morning food collections and casual meetings. People acquire 'merit' by donating food to the monks; by building and renovating temples; by constructing and renovating temples; by constructing hospitals; and by showing kindness and compassion to all living creatures. Such merit favorably affects one's present as well as future incarnations.
All major Buddhist holy days are national holidays. These include Magha Puja (commemorating the miraculous occasion when 1250 disciples gathered spontaneously to hear the Buddha preach); Visakha Puja (commemorating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and final passing away); and Khoa Phansa (the commencement of the annual three-month Rains Retreat when all monks stay inside their monasteries to study and meditate).
Buddhist monks chant auspicious stanzas blessing the openings of new businesses. They officiate at housewarmings. Brides and grooms make meritorious offerings of food on their wedding days and are blessed and sprinkled with holy water. Monks also chant prayers during nightly rites preceding cremations.
One fundamental reason for the Thais generous support of the Sangha (the Buddhist monastic order) is that there are few Buddhist families in which at least one member has not studied the Buddha's teaching within monastic surroundings. Not uncommonly, a man, after discharging his worldly duties and family obligations, will spend his remaining years as a Buddhist monk.
It has likewise long been a Thai custom for Buddhist males over twenty to be temporarily ordained as Buddhist monks, generally during the annual Rains Retreat. Government offices, certain sections of the armed forces and larger private companies make temporary ordinations easier by granting their employees three months' leave with full salary.
Temporary ordination, ranging from five days to three months, is not the exclusive privilege of any one class. Everyone from a farmer's son to royalty may take this unique change for self-improvement.