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Thai Forest Tradition

Buddhism
Origin from 1900

The Kammatthana Forest Tradition of Thailand, known in the West as the Thai Forest Tradition, is a lineage of Theravada Buddhist monasticism that emerged around 1900 in the Isan region of northeastern Thailand under Ajahn Sao Kantasilo and Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta. The tradition insists on strict adherence to the Vinaya, the Buddhist monastic code, alongside meditation practices including jhana, and holds that nibbana remains attainable in modern times, positions that initially met strong resistance from Thailand's religious establishment. Later lineage heads included Ajahn Thate Desaransi from 1949 to 1994 and Ajahn Maha Bua Nanasampanno from 1994 to 2011, and the tradition later spread from Isan to Bangkok and to Western countries.

Facts
Giving
Standing Giving ExpectationSourced to the subject's own account
No percentage or fixed amount is documented. The tradition frames lay giving as generating merit through generosity toward the Sangha, acknowledged by the monks' own anumodana chant after each meal, not as a countable rate owed. 1
How the Expectation Is Enforced
Customary Norm 1
Sourced to the subject's own accountNo formal, quantified giving requirement binds a monastic or lay follower. Monks are sustained day to day by the alms round, a customary and uncounted practice rather than a codified due, the same shape already documented on the broader Buddhism entity.
Origins
Origin PeriodSourced to the subject's own account
from 1900 1
Sources
1. Thai Forest Tradition (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Wikipedia: Thai Forest Tradition, Daily routine, anumodana passage
    generating merit (Pali: puñña) by their generosity towards the Sangha
  • Wikipedia: Thai Forest Tradition, Daily routine, first paragraph
    At Thai monasteries the monks will go for alms early in the morning, sometimes around 6:00 AM
  • Lead section: origin year
    The Thai Forest Tradition started around 1900 with Ajahn Mun Bhuridatto, who wanted to practice Buddhist monasticism and its meditative practices according to the normative standards of early Buddhism.
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