7.1. The Phrapariyattidhamma: Study in the Section of Nakdham Course

Instructions in the ecclesiastical education are provided to Buddhist monks and novices so that they may understand the Buddha's teaching and can follow the right path. The educational system was initially looked after by the tenth Supreme Patriarch, Vajirananavarorasa, during the reign of King Rama VI. At present, the educational administration, especially in the field of examination, is under control of Phra Brahmamuni of the Borvorn nivesa Monastery. He is the chief monk of Nakdham Course, with a vice-chief, a secretary and assistant secretaries helping him in his work. The classes of ecclesiastical education are divided into three categories as before.

Dhamma course can be divided into three categories, Naktham Tri, Nakdham Tho and Nakdham Ek. The detail of each course is given as follows:

1. Nakdham Tri (Elementary Grade)

Naktham Tri or Dhamma Grade^[1] 1 is composed of the following subjects:

a. Essay–writing: this study based or the book of Buddha Sayings or Proverbs, volume one. It mainly consists of short sayings of the Buddha. These were composed in sections, easy to learn by heart. The students of this class are required to compose an essay based an any one of those sayings.

b. Dhamma knowledge: this study is based on the book named Navakovada, especially in the section of elementary knowledge of Dhamma for monks and laymen. This is of the most important and fundamental religious books of Thailand, and also printed in other parts of the world.

c. Life of the Buddha the book used for this purpose is life of the Buddha, volume one.

d. Code of Monastic Discipline; the book used for this study is Treatise of Discipline, volume one. Also briefly mentioned is the Vinaya section of the book. Navakovada^[2]. This book contrains 227 rules for the Bhikkhus. These are 4 Parajika, 13 Sanghadisesa, 2 Aniyata, 30 Nissaggiyapajittiya, 92 Pajittiya, 4 Patidesaniya, 75 Sekhiya, and 7 Adhikaranasamatha.

2. Naktham Tho (Intermediate Grade)^[3]

Naktham Tho or Dhamma Grade 2 consists of the same subject as the Dhamma Grad 1 does, but the books are of the higher level as follows:

a. Essay writing; which are longer than those in Grade 1, are written about Buddha saying, volume two. The student are required to write and essay by which two of the sayings from that book are joined and merged with a given are in order to make the essay complete and two other sayings are required to be refered by the students in support of that has already been given.

b. Dhamma knowledge; this is based on the book of Numerial saying (Dhamma Vibhaga) Part two, which is wider in scope than part one.

c. Life of the Buddha’s Disciples; this book is based on the entitled History of Buddhist Synods. Another version of the Buddha’s life story in legendary from was composed in this book. Apart from this book, another book called Religious Rites, volumes two is also included.

d. Code of the Monastic Discipline: the book used in this grade is one of the same series used at elementary grade and is called Treatise of Discipline, volume two, but its contents are relate to the to do’s and not to do’s for the monks, for example rules related to the residence during the rainy season, duties of teacher-monks and student-novices.

3. Nakdham Ek (Advanced Grade)^[4]

Naktham Ek or Dhamma Grade 3 consists mainly of the four subjects based on the text books used for higher levels as follows:

a. Essay-writing. This is based on the book called Buddha saying, volume three. Like the previous grade the method of writing is the same, but here three Buddhist proverbs with various references from Buddhist scriptures are given to be joined in support of one topic of essay or proverbs given.

b. Dhamma knowledge. This books used are Comment on the Dhamma at the advances levels, the Cycle of Rebirths, these of Meditation and Insight, some discourse (Sutta) such as the Mahasatipatthana Sutta, the Girimananda Sutta and general interesting books concerning explanation of Dhamma in various aspects.

c. Life of the Buddha and his Disciple; this is the book on the life of the Buddha, including life-stories of some more Arahanta disciples.

d. Code of Monastic Disciple. It is based on the Treatise on Monastic Discipline. Volume three, which is related to the boundary (sima), monks’ behaviours and as on.

All the text-books used by students are written in Thai, most being prepared on the pattern of the educational administration devised by Prince Vajirananavarorasa^[5].

In view of the after-effect towards the Thai society, the study of Nakdham Course renders benefit to monks and novices and society. That is to say, monks and novices who enter Buddhism can understand what Buddhism teaches and follow the right path. In case they can remain in monkhood forever, they would be qualified human-beings. If they wish to become laymen, they would become good citizens of the Thai society. The Thai government knowing its meritorious results has provided support to the Nakdham study in various directions. One of them is that monks and novices who have successfully passed the Nakdham-Tri grade, need not to draw a lottery for being a soldier, but they have to remain in monk-hood at least for ten years. In the general view-point of Thai Buddhists, they love to support religious activities irrespective of their cultural, traditional or academic background. Thus, the study of Nakdham Course should be continued in its present form for good.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Department of Religion Affair., History of Thai Sangha’s Education., p.22.

[2]:

NAVAKOVADA: Instruction for Newly-Ordained Bhikkhus and SAMANERA (Standard for the Dhamma Student, 3^rd Grade).

[3]:

Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya, Education Council, Buddhism in the Thai Kingdom, p.39.

[4]:

Ibid., p.41.

[5]:

Kromma Phraya Vajirayanavarorasa (Also spelled Wachirayan, full title Somdet Phramahasamanachao Kromphraya Vajirayanavarorasa (12 April 1860,-2August 1921,Bangkok Thailand) was the 10^th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand from 1910 to 1921.He helped to institutionalize Thai Buddhism. Vajirayana was the 47^th child of King Mongkut and was destined to become “the leading intellectual of his generation in Siam”, in the words of the Thai historian David K. Wyatt (cited in Reynolds 1979:xiii). His royal was Prince Manusayanakamanob (he who is a naga among men).Vajirayanavarorasa is the name he received on a gold nameplate together with the krommamuen rank on 16 March 1882.