Abstract:
The objectives of the study are: 1) to study the monk's proper behavior of Buddhist priest in Buddhist Scriptures, 2) to analyze critically for the monk's proper behavior of Buddhist priest in Buddhist philosophy, and 3) to propose the ways to develop Thai monk's proper behavior of Buddhist priest. It was found that the word "'samanasaruppa", the monk's proper bebavior, was appeared in At tbagatha and Abhidhammapitaka, not in Vinayapitaka and Suttantapitaka. This should be understood this word mainly through the concept of"samana" and "saruppa". The Buddha uses the word "samana" in two meanings: 1) a person who is practicing samanadhamma in order to liberate from suffering (Ssammatisamana), and 2) a person who liberates from at least three
fetters (ariyasamana), namely; sotapanna; sakadagami; anagami; and arabanta. Besides, samana is one who performs acts of austerity and liberates his mind from defilements. There are two kinds of samanasaruppa; 1) External samanasaruppa, good practice, is
evaluated by criteria of precepts and suitable manners of Buddhist monks. In the case of the complex actions, we should use basic criteria of being a good monk, namely; being easy to support, wanting little, contentment, having no hoard, being fond of solitude, getting rid of defilements, being respectable, seclusion, and exertion. 2) Internal samanasaruppa, mental development, which is
evaluated by a criterion of defilement disposal of mind. The important symbol of practicing samanadhamma in Buddhism is an occurring of the Eightfold Paths which leads us to achieve in the ultimate goal of Buddhism (Nirvana). Thus, the Eightfold Paths makes Buddhism differ from other religions. If a man practices in other ways which cannot create the Eightfold Paths, he cannot attain the real samana in Buddhism. Besides, a layman has limitations of criticism to the Buddhist monk's proper behavior. He can observe only bodily and verbal qualities of a Buddhist monk's proper behavior, but not mental qualities of a Buddhist monk's proper behavior. He cannot know whether Noble monk (ariyasamana) is and at which level. He cannot understand each precept and practical tradition of the Buddhist monk thoroughly. Therefore, people should criticize a Buddhist monk' s proper behavior carefully based on three principles; 1) They should realize the limitations of their knowledge; 2) They should criticize based on their goodwill; and 3) They should choose the creative ways to criticize. There are three crucial suggestions to develop samanasaruppa for Thai monks. 1) Most Buddhist thinkers think that encouragement those monks to be aware of their priesthood and samaasarna. 2) Monks in the community, especially preceptors; abbots; and insight meditation teachers, should take care of a new monk and become a good example for him in both external performances and meditation practice. 3) AIl Buddhists should look after behaviors of monks and facilitate them to practice in the right way and to be the good monks. Besides, to develop samanasaruppa, there are other components such as the educational reformation and establishing of regulations for using the communicative technology appropriately.