Publication: A Sociological Approach to Perfection (Pāramī) Focusing on Morality (Sīla-pāramī) as Practised by Venerable Khruba Boonchum in Shan Society, Myanmar
| dc.contributor.author | Dayweinda Yeehsai | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-12-16T06:51:51Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-12-16T06:51:51Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019 | |
| dc.date.issuedBE | 2562 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This dissertation is an effort to understand the relationship between a spiritual leader or a ‘Spiritually advanced being’ and his followers within the tradition of Theravāda Buddhism. Much of the older sociological interpretations of Theravāda Buddhism focus on its individualistic character centred on individual enlightenment. Holy monks or arahants are considered to be detached from their followers. These misunderstandings are the result of various secular sociological interpretations of Buddhism. This research will demonstrate that there is a defining bind between individual enlightenment and social responsibility. This relationship can be traced back to the Buddhist scriptures and literature. Secular sociology interprets the authority of a holy monk through the concept of charisma, which in the Greek original ‘khárisma’ suggests a divine gift given to the individual, a gift that can be used either for good or to mislead one’s followers. A more accurate Buddhist understanding of this authority may be described as a power built up through individual spiritual practice and through one’s relationship with society. Charisma in Buddhism is also based on individual effort or Kamma relating to one’s previous actions called pāramī, literally translated as perfection. The practice of perfection and morality bear direct social significance, fostering social harmony, integrity, peace, and stability. This research first introduces the organising theoretical framework of the sociology of religion of Émile Durkheim and Max Weber. The researcher engages with various approaches to Buddhist social philosophy and Buddhist sociology. The Buddhist concept of ten perfections and the perfection of morality are discussed and understood as lying at the core of any charismatic authority. The dissertation explores the socio-cultural context of the Shan people of Myanmar, their traditional beliefs and their moral practices, which are related to the practice of the perfection of morality. The research goes on to explore charismatic leaders and spiritual Masters of the Shan in contemporary society, particularly Venerable Khruba Boonchum, and argues against the secular sociological misinterpretations which see the authority of such leaders as having millenarian and utopian characteristics. Finally, this research considers a model of Buddhist sociology based upon spiritual and moral teachings rooted in the Buddhist scriptures and literature, thereby showing the limitations of secular sociological understandings of Buddhism | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://harrt.in.th/handle/123456789/5784 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | พม่า | |
| dc.subject | อรหันต์ | |
| dc.subject | สังคมวิทยา | |
| dc.subject.isced | 0223 ปรัชญาและจริยธรรม | |
| dc.subject.oecd | 6.3 ปรัชญา จริยธรรมและศาสนา | |
| dc.title | A Sociological Approach to Perfection (Pāramī) Focusing on Morality (Sīla-pāramī) as Practised by Venerable Khruba Boonchum in Shan Society, Myanmar | |
| dc.type | วิทยานิพนธ์ระดับปริญญาเอก (Doctoral Thesis) | |
| dspace.entity.type | Publication | |
| harrt.itemID | 308 | |
| harrt.researchArea | ปรัชญาพุทธเถรวาท | |
| harrt.researchGroup | ปรัชญา | |
| harrt.researchTheme.1 | ปรัชญาศาสนา | |
| harrt.researchTheme.2 | ปรัชญาพุทธเถรวาท | |
| mods.location.url | https://repository.au.edu/items/cfb2ac0e-b4fc-481e-b6dd-5b384345a1da | |
| thesis.degree.department | บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | มหาวิทยาลัยอัสสัมชัญ | |
| thesis.degree.level | ปริญญาเอก | |
| thesis.degree.name | ปรัชญาดุษฎีบัณฑิต |