This research analyzes the influence of environment to Theravada Buddhist through short term monastic experiences in the Theravada, by observing Theravada Buddhis lifestyle and ceremony and exploring the relationship between Buddhism and society, as a new Bhikkhu's viewpoint in Theravada.
A Theravada Bhikkhu restricted by Vinaya who is not allowed to earn a living, farm and hold property could only supply by worshippers. Thus the Bodhimanda needs to be shielded and sustained by monks and lay Buddhists, which is led by Sangha and general affairs are responsible by laymen.
The Sangha who is composed of Bhikkhu follow the Vinaya, made by the buddha, pass on the buddha's teaching. They lead people to practice and make correct Dharma lives forever. One could say that the Sangha is the core of Theravada Buddhist, and the relationship between monks and laymen is close.
The Sangha is a close society, outsiders have no opportunity to pry into it. However, Buddhist countries have a general mood of monastic, being a monk and returning to normal life is really normal. A lay Buddhist usually has monastic experiences, so he is familiar to Sangha's monastic rules. Therefore, the response of lay Buddhists who supply to monks can always adherence to specifications .
This article is referred to Vinaya-Pitaka, according to the Sangha during buddha-age and buddha's instruction in his 45 years lifetime for comparing and discussing the present legacy of sangha in Theravada, Sangha's monastic rules, four depending ways in Sangha's life (including their clothing, food, live, and medicine). The researcher also participated and observed Sangha's daily life and practical operations, and analyzes the corresponding relation between Vinaya-Pitaka and Buddhism, thereby realizing Theravada Buddhism.
The society is not familiar to the environment of response around monks and laymen of Theravada Buddhist, and that's adverse to the development of Theravada Buddhism.
This article compares with vinaya-pitaka and what is saw with the researcher's own eyes, trying to trace back the outline of Sangha in Buddha's lifetime, and reveals the lifestyle and Buddhism's monastic rules of Sangha for letting worshippers easily shield and sustain in conformity with Dharma. The researcher expects that people who live in a non-Buddhist country have no monastic experience could be no stranger to Theravada and be willing to get close it.
