A recent survey conducted by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) shows growing discontent among Thai Buddhists regarding misconduct within the monastic community, with a majority of those polled blaming a series of high-profile scandals for damaging the image of Buddhism.

The NIDA poll, titled “Crisis in Buddhism!,” was carried out from 14–16 July and surveyed 1,310 self-identified Buddhists aged 18 and above. Participants were drawn from across Thailand’s geographic and demographic sectors through probabilistic multistage sampling.

The most frequently cited concern, shared by 76.11 per cent of respondents, was that many monks remained attached to worldly pleasures. These included involvement in drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sexual misconduct—issues that have regularly surfaced in Thai media. A further 45.95 per cent of respondents expressed concern about monks who were preoccupied with wealth, praise, and social status. Another 45.80 per cent pointed to rising consumerism among clergy as a leading issue.

Among other notable findings, 40 per cent of those surveyed expressed the belief that some men entered the monk-hood for financial reasons rather than religious devotion. Additionally, 29.16 per cent said temples had become excessively commercialized, while 27.63 per cent noted a lack of financial transparency in temple operations.

Institutional failures were also highlighted. Roughly one in four (25.42 per cent) respondents criticized Buddhist governing bodies for being ineffective in preventing or responding to monastic misconduct. Another 23.74 per cent reported that monks who broke monastic precepts often displayed hostile or aggressive behavior.

Several respondents highlighted the role of the lay community, with 16.72 per cent suggesting that laypeople sometimes encouraged monks to engage in actions that violated the Vinaya, the traditional monastic code. An equal percentage blamed lax internal governance within temple organizations.

Concerns about the integrity of Buddhist teachings were also raised. Some 13.59 per cent criticized monks who promote exaggerated supernatural claims, while 11.60 per cent took issue with temples using manipulative tactics to solicit excessive donations. Other criticisms included distortion of teachings (8.32 per cent), an overemphasis on magical or occult rituals (7.79 per cent), and political partisanship within the sangha (1.68 per cent).

Despite these concerns, the survey found that confidence in the core of Buddhism remained largely intact. While 58.4 per cent of respondents said their trust in individual monks had declined, 68.55 per cent stated that their faith in Buddhism was unchanged. Nearly one in three (31.45 per cent) reported a diminished sense of faith in the religion.

In light of recent scandals, public sentiment appeared to support stronger regulatory measures. The survey asked participants about a draft bill aimed at protecting and promoting Buddhism, which included legal penalties for misconduct among both clergy and laypeople. A majority—80.76 per cent—strongly supported criminal penalties for monks who violated the monastic code, and an additional 13.59 per cent expressed moderate support.

However, opinions were more mixed on other proposed measures. Only 17 per cent strongly supported criminal penalties for laypeople who knowingly engaged in sexual relations with monks. In contrast, 63 per cent favored strict penalties for monks making false claims about supernatural powers. Some 35 per cent backed penalties for individuals who distorted the Buddhist teachings, and 44 per cent strongly supported criminalizing false accusations against monks made without evidence.

The survey results underscore a growing desire among Thai Buddhists for reform and accountability within the monastic institution. While scandals have weakened public trust in individual monks and temple leadership, the resilience of faith in the Buddha’s teachings remains a consistent theme.

Thailand is home to more than 300,000 Buddhist monks, and approximately 93 per cent of the population identify as Buddhists, making it one of the most devoutly Buddhist countries in the world. However, increasing scrutiny over the past two decades has revealed challenges in maintaining the public’s trust in the face of widespread social, economic, and cultural changes.

See more

Survey finds public blames monks’ misconduct for Buddhism’s decline (The Nation)
Poll: Most Thais believe some monks have misbehaved, should be punished (Bangkok Post)
Survey finds Thai public blames monks’ misconduct for Buddhism’s decline (Asia News Network)

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