The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXIV, Part 1-2, 1976 - Khamkoo

134 John P. Ferguson and Shalardchai Ramitanondh
most intensive contact seemed to involve meetings with commune abbots
twice a month, and the most loosely structured relationship involved no
formal meetings at all but only casual conversations at religious functions.
A few of the more authoritative types of monks spoke of actually touring
their monasteries to speak firmly about matters of good discipline, and
they seemed to rule with tight reins, while others seemed to relax and
let matters take care of themselv~s. In some of the more rural communes
there were definitely pr.oblems concerned with staffing the monasteries
with full abbots, but in the more prosperous urban communes no
such problem exists. It clearly takes much work to keep young monks
in the rural communes, as they tend to migrate to the better educational
opportunities in the center of Chiengmai. Some of the rural Commune
Heads were very impressive leaders, however, and some have the conviction
that the rural laity deserve good monks and that the rural
monasteries may be "out of it" but stand for important traditions in
Northern Buddhism that must be preserved.
In general, the Commune Heads are typically the most senior
monks who have a long career and a strong following in the area that
they administer.
They are only one step removed from regular abbots
in the hierarchy and thus look more .toward their commune than to
Bangkok. ·Not ail even want to be qualified to ordain, and two have
refused requests that they go to Bangkok for schooling to get the required
official certificate. Only four have honorary titles at the Phra Khru level.
Commune Heads are thus perhaps best understood as officials who
communicate both ways between the District Heads and the regular
abbots. They are as varied as the communes they represent.
Below the Commune Heads (See Table 1), of course, are the abbots
(Chao Awat), deputy abbots (Rong Chao Awat), monks (Phra), and novices
(Nen). The hierarchy stops there, but below that point are the monastery
boys (dek wat) who, in gratitude for free room and board, serve the