Santi Asoke

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The Santi Asoke [(Pali) (Thai: สันติอโศก (อะโศก)) literally Peaceful Asoke] sect of Theravada Buddhism was established by a former television entertainer and songwriter Phra Bodhirak after he "declared independence from the Ecclesiastical Council in 1975". [[1]]. He had originally ordained within a monastery recognized by the Thai Sangha, but soon left with a small following in order to create this alternative group, which he sees as a mixture of both Therevada and Mahayana Buddhism. Described by Donald Swearer as “a radical sectarian movement” that “reflects the forest tradition’s ideals of simplicity,” the tradition also claimed an early influence from Buddhadasa, which it later rejected.

Santi Asoke adheres to a strictly moral-based community, following the Theravada precepts with ten extra codes for monks and lay followers. It extols the virtues of an economic doctrine of 'meritism' that is anti-materialist and anti-consumerist, preaching “eat little; use little” with an emphasis that can be expressed as “work a lot, save the rest for the society”.

More radical than Dhammakaya and Buddhadasa schools, Santi Asoke is anti-establishment, actively questioning the role and actions of the Thai government. The sect split from the Thai sangha in response to disapproval regarding their independent practices, and remains a separate movement. Many Thais embraced the movement’s critique of their society, but others were put off by the “outspoken manner and flagrant disregard for Thai ecclesiastical law” that later led to Bodhirak’s arrest (Swearer,139).

While the movement initially continued to grow, in June, 1989 Phra Bodhirak and seventy-nine other ordained followers were arrested, and a number of monks were defrocked, possibly weakening the movement irreparably, although it still maintains a presence in Thai Buddhism.

The Asoke group has since formed a political party that, while ineffective in the party system of Thai politics, works on a grassroots level to promote sustainable agriculture among rural farmers. Formal statistics on population are unavailable, yet it is certain that their communities in Bangkok, Nakhorn Pathom and the Isan region continue to grow, with thousands of members. Some centers have factories and shops that produce and sell herbal products such as medicine soap and shampoo. Other locations are simply farms growing food that is prepared and given away free to anyone.

Those looking for an in-depth ethnographic study ought to look for the work of Danish scholar Marja Leena Heikkilä-Horn, who has published a book entitled "Buddhism with Open Eyes," a reference to the Asoke group's rejection of sitting meditation in favor of work-based meditation.