泰國南傳佛教社會關懷之研究

A Study on Social Care in Thailand Theravada Buddhism

釋心平(Phra Surapornchai Samacitto)

《法印學報》 5期 (2015/10) Pp. 231-254

摘要

泰國的南傳佛教乃是泰國的國教，並與泰國人民的思想文化、風俗習慣相融合，舉凡在生活中，從出生到死亡，泰國人民大部分都與佛教有密切關係；本篇論文將探討泰國佛教「社會關懷」這一問題所落實的工作內容到底有哪些，除了這些工作之外，尚有哪些社會關懷的項目值得在未來進一步實行的。探討以上的這些問題，是本文撰寫的主要動機所在。本文的研究面向，擬從如下二點討論：（一）就泰國佛教的歷史發展，來瞭解其佛教背景。（二）先介紹泰國佛教社會關懷的背景：由於泰國歷代王朝的護持與推動，現今泰國佛教對於「社會關懷」這一議題非常地重視；接著論述該議題落實與運用的方法，比如舉辦教育，宣揚佛法，人民的禮儀、文化，社會福利等；最後對社會關懷這一議題未來的發展與展望，進行闡述與說明，泰國佛教可吸取台灣佛教界所大力挹注的成果與經驗，重新在現有的基礎上，將自我的關懷、教育，擴大並延伸到對人類、環境、自然、生態的全面關懷。

關鍵字

泰國南傳佛教 ； 泰國佛教歷史 ； 社會關懷 ； 自利利他

並列摘要

Theravada Buddhism is the national Buddhism of Thailand, which is well integrated with Thai people's ideology and culture, as well as their social customs and habits. From birth to death, most of Thai people's life is closely associated with Buddhism. This article first explores the fields of social care that Theravada Buddhism locates in. Furthermore, this article also investigates whether there are more areas worthy of being cultivated in the future. The discussion unfolds from two aspects: (1) Understanding the background of Buddhism in Thailand through its development history ; (2) Firstly, introducing the background of social care in Theravada Buddhism in Thailand: the Buddhism in Thailand lays ever more stress on social care recently because of the maintenance and promotion of Thai dynasties. Secondly, discussing the methods of practicing and applying social care activities, such as holding educational events, explaining and publicizing Buddhism through etiquette, culture, welfare, etc. Lastly, stating and illustrating the development and prospect of social care in Theravada Buddhism in future. Buddhism in Thailand can benefit from the experiences of Buddhism activities in Taiwan, to broaden the vision and expand self care to all-round care in the fields of human being, environment, nature and ecology on the basis of existing conditions.

並列關鍵字

Theravada Buddhism ； the history of Buddhism in Thailand ； social care ； egoism and altruism