Talk:Buddhism in Thailand

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I've don't believe all (or most) monks spent time as a dek wat. I'm under the impression that the dekwat are often orphans or childern of very poor families that essentially live at the temple. They gain a basic education for being around and being usefull (such as carrying and dealing with the money of monks when a monk needs to go to market to buy something, etc). While it is certainly not uncommon for dek wat to becomes novices and ultimately full monks, I don't think this is the general case: in a country that has scads of monks, most join in their late teens or early twenties, and do a lenten season as a monk.Dxco 04:46, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

The information described may be a little out of date- it's from a description that was written during the 1960's, before the state school system was as well established in rural areas. It may have been accurate at the time, but not any longer. --Clay Collier 10:17, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

Regarding the situation of Buddhist nuns in Thailand there are now a small number of ordained bhikkhunis in Thailand. They don't really seek much publicity due to the controversy it creates. This has happened under the guidance of Chatsumarn Kabilsing, the first Thai woman to ordain as a bhikkhuni. She is now known as Dhammananda. More information at www.thaibhikkunis.org