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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XI - 2019

monks in Thailand, Buddhadasa Bhikku, of “the Garden of Liberation” stated
his view of Dhamma that “nowadays, people are caught up is materialism. They
are faded away from “Dhamma.” Technical and scientific progress have given a

new impact to the country in the last few decades. Today, materialism presents
itself as a “white Darkness.” It has an illusive reality that one attaches oneself to.”
(Buddhadasa, 1974: 19)

Buddhadasa pointed out classic formula of the four noble truths are as
follows:
1. Nature, that which changes and that which does not, is devoid of
essence;
2. The law of nature is that we are attached to things and there by
experience suffering;

3. Our duty in the light of this fact is to act in such a way as to be freed
from the consequences of our action;
4. As a result, our lives in this world will be happy and free from worry
because we have no attachment to things as “mine” (Swearer DK, 1982:
666).

Buddhadasa’s concern for the integrity of the particularity of genuine
Buddhism is matched by his conviction of its universal truth. The fundamental
problem of human existence is attachment, which leads to pride, selfishness, and
egoism. Since religion's basic concern is with human existence, it must aim to
solve the problem of attachment. The Buddha set out to accomplish this task. He
discovered and taught a way to salvation. It is a way to a new state of being in
which one lives the ultimately real.

Buddhadasa’s view of morality in Buddhism has a strong influences in
the Thai way of life.

Morality has been a mission in human development from the time of the
Greek philosopher to the present time. The quest has been for an understanding of
the concept of morality. Nowadays the Thai society faces moral problems; morality
has been a popular topic for discussion among educators, teachers, parents and
other concerned persons such as physicians They realize that the moral standards
of conduct of contemporary youth have greatly deteriorated. Many researchers
indicate that there is a considerable increase in the number of people who turn
their backs on Thai tradition and Buddhist moral values.

30 Moral Behaviour in Contemporary Thai Society

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