ABSTRACT
Traditionally, the Buddhist Sangha in early Buddhism in South Asia consisted of four “assemblies”: Bhikkhuni (female monks/nuns), Bhikkhu (male monks), Upasika (female devotees), and Upasaka (male devotees). In Thailand, the term Sangha (Thai: Phra Song) is usually definitionally limited to the first two, but there are many other categories of serious religious practitioners that could be included in the Sangha. Furthermore, scholars have limited the study of Sangha in Thailand primarily to monks (bhikkhu) and to a lesser extent nuns (bhikkhuni) of one of the four so-called sects (nikaya) of the Theravada lineage of Buddhists (Mahanikai, Thammayut, Santi Asoke, and Thammakai). This chapter also discusses the lesser known nikaya associated with Vietnamese, Chinese, Mon, Burmese, and even “Hindu” priests (Phra Phrohm) active in contemporary Thailand. Finally, healers, prognosticators, and various ascetics active in Thai religion will be described. After a discussion of these various categories and their role in modern Thai society, the chapter examines some controversial issues facing the Thai Sangha today.
