The Effects of Social and Politics on the New Ethical Phenomenon of Anamnikaya Sect in Thailand.

The purposes of this study were to 1) examine the effect of social and politics on the new ethical phenomenon and the existence of Ananikaya sect in Thailand, and 2) to investigate the new mechanisms operated by Anamnikaya sect in Thai society. This study was a qualitative research and utilized an in-depth interview and focus group. The research findings reveal that Anamnikaya sect is one of the disciplines in Buddhism that has been practiced in Thai society since the 18th century and was co-existed with the history of Bangkok. The believers are Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai people in Bangkok. The temples and the ordination of Anamnikaya monks have expanded into other 17 provincial areas in the country. The merit-makings are designed to be simple in order to welcome all kinds of worshipers by focusing on happiness, good fortune, and peace and tranquility. In the past following 30 years, the number of Anamnikaya monks has been declined due to changes in society and politics. This has a great effect on the continuation of the sect in the future. In this respect, Anamnikaya sect utilizes a new strategy by creating a good citizen for the society. The sect adopted 12 years old and up boys to be ordained as novices and gave them an education in Anamnikaya schools, one in Bangkok and the other two in the up-country. As a result, Anamnikaya sect, one of the sects in Mahayana Buddhism, can help many teenagers who are less fortunate in the society to receive an appropriate education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]