Monks and Modern Technology
Ø Monks and Modern Technology
Today, many Theravāda Buddhist monks are using modern technology
such as mobile devices, etc. As a result, there arose some controversies;
whether it is breaking the rules of the Buddha or not.
In this case, there might not have the exact answers in the Vinaya Texts
to such kind of issue. It is because Buddha always laid down the Vinaya rules
when the opportunity had arisen. He did not lay down the rules for the future
intention.
If we analyze all the Vinaya rules, it can be
divided into two kinds: Lokavijja sikkhāpada and Pannattivijja
sikkhāpada.
Lokavijja sikkhāpada were laid down by the Buddha for prohibiting from committing
the natural unwholesome actions such as killing living beings, stealing, etc.
Although some actions are not naturally unwholesome or
morally wrong, people accept that they are bad-looking such as digging earth,
pulling out grass by monks, etc. Those kinds of actions were also prohibited by
the Buddha. These rules are called Pannattivijja sikkhāpada.
According to Milindhapaňňa, even an Arahant (a
Noble Monk) can still commit an offence of the Pannattivijja
sikkhāpada. But, an Arahant does not commit any
moral rules Lokavijja sikkhāpada.
Surely, using modern technology does not concern with the case of
morally wrong doing Lokavijja sikkhāpada but it still concerns
with the case of the Pannattivijja Vinaya rules.
Ø The Pure Version of Theravāda Buddhism
The 3 foundations of Theravāda are:
1. We will follow and practice as the Buddha laid
down on us, (Yatthā paňňattesu sikkhāpadesu samādhāya vittissāma).
2. We do not add any new rules to the Buddha’s Vinaya rules, (Apaňňattam na
paňňāpessāma).
3. We do not remove any the rules which the Buddha
had already laid down, (Paňňattam na samuccindissāma).
In the Theravada Buddhist country, some conservative
people and monks only want to see the traditional way of monks’
living. They do not want to change anything from the Theravāda tradition.
ØWasn’t
Buddha legally permitted to remove some minor rules?
According to Mahāparinibbāna Sutta, the Buddha gave the
last words to his close attendant Ānanda that if Saṁgha were
united, they can remove the minor rules (khuddhānu khuddaka). (Ānanda,
samgho mamaccayena khuddhānu khuddakāni sikkhāpadāni samūhanatu.)[2]
According to this quote, the Buddha might foresee for the future
advanced world, and that is why he permitted to remove some minor rules from
the Vinaya Pitaka. Practically, in this age of 21st century,
the world looks like the global village with the aid of modern technology. No
one can stay without it including the monks’ society.
Ø Reasonable questions
Is it not a monk’s work; after having renounced the lay life, he
goes lonely to the forest and practices meditation for the purpose to end the
round of rebirths?
Is it not monk’s duty; studying the Buddha dhamma
(pariyatti) or meditating Vipassanā (paripatti)?
Ø Buddha’s Attitude towards the Missionary Monks
All people, except the Buddha, must engage learning and teaching
the dhamma on the way to end the suffering of life. Dhamma
teaching is the job of monks for the purpose to preserve and propagate the
Buddha Sāsanā. For instance, the
Buddha urged the sixty missionary monks in his very first Sāsana’s missionary
that not to go two in one way (Mā ekena dwe agamitṭha)[3].
That is for the purpose to wider spread the Dhamma in their missionary
works.
It is sure to say that digital devices, social network, and
internet are the effective tools to communicate with the people without going
outside of the monasteries.
When people ask that whether
using technology by monks is breaking the rules of the Buddha or not? The clear
message is that everything has two sides, like a coin with two faces.
Discovering fire means people no longer need to eat raw meat and fish. On the
other side, if we use that fire carelessly, needless to say, it will burn your
whole mansion.
References:
1. Vinaya Pitaka. Mahāvaggha Pāli;
2. Dhīga Nikāya. MahāVaggha Pāli;
3. Dīga Nikāya. ṭha. 3;
4. Aṅguttara Nikāya ṭha. 2;
5. Thāratṭhadīpanī;
6. Milindapaňňā.
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