Publication: Buddhist Temple: the well-being space for the aged in Thailand
Issued Date
2012-01
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Language
eng
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Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
Institute for Population and Social Research. Mahidol University
Bibliographic Citation
Journal for Population and Social Studies. Vol.20, No.2 (2012), 2-19
Suggested Citation
Kwanchit Sasiwongsaroj, Saowapa Pornsiripongse, Yongyuth Burasith, Patcharin Ketjamnong, Nutarat Koosakulrat Buddhist Temple: the well-being space for the aged in Thailand. Journal for Population and Social Studies. Vol.20, No.2 (2012), 2-19. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/3308
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Title
Buddhist Temple: the well-being space for the aged in Thailand
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Abstract
The world is experiencing an increase in the number of elderly people. This global
trend is more advanced in western countries. However, many Asian countries are
experiencing the same phenomenon, and within the next few decades, Asia will be
the “oldest” region in the world. Adverse effects from a rapidly aging population on
society and economy are evident; therefore, policy options are being created to deal
with these problems. Nevertheless alternative solutions are still needed. As Asia is
the region with the highest proportion of Buddhists in the world and Buddhist
principles are embedded within belief systems of followers, the idea of using religious
space to support the aging population might be worthy of consideration.
This academic interest raises two questions: (1) beyond the use of temple space for
preserving and spreading Buddhist teachings, do monastic institutions manage
temple space for the benefit of elderly ?, and (2) how do such ancillary activities
contribute to the well-being of the aged? This paper uses evidence from Thailand, a country with a large number of Buddhist
temples (37,075), to explore these issues. The synthesis reveals that beyond religious
activities, numerous secular activities are conducted at temples. These activities
conform to the Buddhist worldview on aging and seem to actively promote the
well-being of the aged in three dimensions; namely, physical and psychological
health, lifelong learning, and social well-being. This article seeks to refocus attention
away from governmental management of the elderly towards local management,
in the belief that this would be particularly helpful in parts of Asia where
institutional welfare is somewhat unreliable. As the temple is a component of the
community and plays an important role in the cultural life of Buddhists, it is argued
that using temple space can serve as an alternative approach to the development of
appropriate policies aimed at enhancing the well-being of the aged in the Buddhist
world.