The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXXI, Part 1-2, 1983 - Khamkoo

232 Uthai Dulyakasem
In addition, the issues of poverty and wealth are also clearly discussed. The
~iscussion in this section is illuminating, particularly for people who are unclear
whether Buddhist principles are applicable in the modern economic system. The last
section of the article deals with the system of Buddhist ethics and his discussion is again
very illuminating.
After reading this article . for a few times, I wholeheartedly agree with the
author that the topic of the discussion should be "Foundations of Buddhist Social Ethics
for Contemporary Thailand" because the Foundations of Social Ethics in contemporary
Thailand are, sadly, very non-Buddhist. ·
In "Tradition and Change in Thai Buddhism", the author essentially argues
that a change in contemporary Thai Buddhism so far seems to have resulted from the
clash and conflict between tradition (not to be equated with originality and authenticity)
and modernization. He eiaborates ·his argument by giving examples of conflicts between
traditional Thai Buddhism and modernized practices b()th within and outside the
Sangha's circles. The author then goes on to analyze the mechanism of ch~nge in
Thai Buddhism. He asserts that tb,ere are many fundamental causes and conditions,
for example, no face-to-face challenge to tradition and the"i~orance of both traditional
and modem groupings in Thai society. If these causes are eradicated, Thai Buddhism
may, says the author, be purified and reformed. However, he quickly adds that what
is needed now is a knowledgeable leadership. Even though I agree with most of his
· arguments, his last condition (i.e. a knowledgeable leadership) makes me wonder whether
such a leadership can be easily fou~d given the fact that the socio-economic and
political ethics on which Thai society is at present based are very far from the Noble
Eightfold Path and its prerequisites.
In "Buddhism and Mental Health", the author basically argues that the
Summum Bonum or the final goal of Buddhism is a state of perfect mental health and
true happiness. The author further explains that in the contemporary world, material
comforts and conveniences are particularly promoted at the expense of mental wellbeing.
In so doing, man has violently exploited the environment and caused much
imbalance in nature which in turn very badly.affects his own life-quality. In addition,
in pursuit of sensual pleasure, ·man learns to become selfish and develops more intense
attachment and clinging to enjoyments, possessions and to their own selves.
. The author contends that to cure all the mental and socio-spiritual diseases,
man has to be put on the right path and the right path is the Noble Eightfold Path,
which begins with Right View or Right Understandmg. The author rightly argues that
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