“Knowledge and Morality” have long permeated the world’s key civilizations. Upheld in Greek – Roman, Indian, and Chinese societies, their presence reflects the values, the beliefs, and the cultures that people need to coexist.
Such concepts were seriously discussed in Thailand in 1997 too, when a committee studying the country’s social problems revealed urban Thai families had failed to inculcate the right values in their children. Even worse was the fact that their children were taught the opposite in the face of fast-changing social situations and rapidly evolving technologies.
To cultivate a framework of knowledge intertwined with moral values among Thai youth, Mr. Supachai Chearavanont, Chief Executive Officer, Charoen Pokphand Group/Chair of the Board of Directors, True Corporation Plc., thus advocates the promoting knowledge and morality based on Buddhism among youth in order for them to understand and apply the right concepts, fostering a good society for everyone. In response to his visionary initiative, “True Little Monk” project was launched in the form of a four-week-long reality show. This project is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
True Blog therefore interviewed 10 former participants in the project to find out why they joined in and listen to impacts and memorable moments from their time as True Little Monk.
Rational Approach to Problems
Aphiphu Techa-arpornchai or Petch was in the first batch of True Little Monk. At the time he entered the project, he was just 10. Even though he was back then still in Pathom 4 class, he decided to apply to the project himself. His decision was rooted in the desire to reform himself. Recognizing that he was rash and hot-tempered, Petch admitted that he was often afraid that he might one day “lose” his control and end up in danger. So, he strongly wished to embrace Lord Buddha’s teachings as his guidance. Being ordained as a little monk or novice monk could refine him. That’s his idea.
He spent one month in saffron robes at the Rama IX Kanchanaphisek Temple under the guidance of the abbot, Phra Proma Wachira Suthi. To Petch, True Little Monk project was a “turning point” in his childhood. When he participated in the project, he needed to adjust himself to monastic rules, underwent mental tests, and experienced a life completely different from that of a secular world.
Although the project took just one month, Petch emerged from the project as a changed boy. He became calm, more mindful, and also more reasonable. In daily life, he has since contemplated more about the consequences of his own actions and has learned to let go of what he can’t control.
The Buddhist concepts he had learned during True Little Monk project had also helped him with the tasks he needed to do today. From the Buddhist perspectives, “problems or obstacles” result from some factors. For factors that are beyond control, he just has to let things be, calm his mind, and stop trying to take charge.
Currently, Petch is an undergraduate student in the science and data innovation program of the Thammasat University’s College of International Studies. Petch has a keen interest in artificial intelligence, which is a revolutionary technology. Knowledgeable people in the field are in high demand now.
“I think Science and Buddhism have something in common. Both have taught about rational thinking, which fosters development. Rational thinking leads to wisdom and disciplines, which help solve humans’ problems and create good things for mankind,” Petch said.
Dhamma in Daily Life
Pun Therdsteerasukdi, who was in the second batch of True Little Monk, recounted that he applied to the project because he was interested in Dhamma. His family had taught him Buddhist precepts and explained Dhamma to him since he was very young. So, he was keen to join True Little Monk Year 2 after watching the first batch of True Little Monk on air. He appreciated the teachings monks gave to the ordained boys as well as the activities True Little Monk participants did. He handed in his application without hesitation, and he was recruited.
“Our teaching monks had very good techniques. They made Dhamma easy to understand. They gave examples kids could relate themselves to. They mentioned scenarios that could happen in our daily life and showed us what choices we had in dealing with daily-life problems. Then, they explained the essence of each Dhamma concept. Once we understood the approach to each concept, we could apply it to our life,” Pun said.
Today, Pun is a fourth-year student in the international program of the Chulalongkorn Business School. Although his studies are full of pressure, tension, and troubles associated with capitalism, “Dhamma principles” from True Little Monk project have ushered him towards efficient problem solving. Thanks to the project, Pun has had “mindfulness and concentration”. He always lives in the present while looking ahead to the future.
“Mindfulness-Concentration” Compass
Suparerk Kothongchai or Bankchat jumped into True Little Monk Year 2 after watching the inspiring changes and development that the participants in Year 1 had made. He was also impressed by the project’s interesting self-improvement activities.
After refining himself at the Rama IX Kanchanaphisek Temple for one full month, Bankchat has got the gist of integrated life development. His Buddhist compass is “Tri Sikkha” or the threefold method of training in morality, concentration and wisdom. This Buddhist precept, Bankchat said, has significantly helped with learning.
Bankchat is now a medical student at the Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. His medical studies require solid “mindfulness and concentration” because a doctor’s action is a matter of life and death. Doctors must be extremely careful and pay attention to detail. There is zero tolerance for mistakes.
“Before we disrobed, the teaching monks instructed all novice monks to summarize what they had learned. As I prepared my summary, I realized that humans must be “mindful of and concentrating” on their action and their every step. Mindfulness and concentration must rein in emotions. I have applied this precept to my daily life since then,” Bankchat said.
Not only that True Little Monk project has refined Bankchat and driven his self-development, but it has also taught him about compassion. Bankchat has now aspired to enhance people’s access to public healthcare so as to increase their quality of life.
Qualms
Patcharanat Yearratikarn or Peipei, a participant in True Little Monk Year 3, said he initially wanted to get ordained in dedication to his grandfather who had just passed away. But his participation in the project has given him much more than he had hoped for. Thanks to True Little Monk project, he had learned to control his emotions with “mindfulness” used as a detector of changing emotions. Peipei admitted that he used to be hotheaded and risk engaging in a fight. But after he got ordained, he became much calmer.
Peipei, moreover, learned more about “love & compassion” during his time as a True Little Monk. He was taught to love himself first before sharing love with human fellows and all other things. With such perspectives, he knows how to “give & share”. He is also ready to help out, whenever an opportunity emerges.
“Importantly, I have learnt about sins, virtues, beneficial actions, and harmful actions. I am therefore deeply conscious of sinning. I have the sense of shame. I know qualms. I am aware of what I should and should not do. This is the basic Buddhist precept that everyone should have. If all embrace it, our society will be more peaceful,” he emphasized.
Peipei’s dream is to go study in Canada. While many obstacles await, Peipei has no fear. He trusts that True Little Monk project has already equipped him with a guidance that will enable him to live well overseas too.
See Through Stimulated Mind
Trevor Thara Rowley, a half-Thai, half-New Zealander, revealed that he decided to join True Little Monk Project because he wanted a deeper understanding in Buddhism. Importantly, he also thought that it was great that the project featured participants in a reality show. This way, people in his close circles would watch and learn more about Buddhism as well.
In the past, Trevor could not concentrate on anything for long. But after he practiced meditation hard under the guidance of teaching monks during True Little Monk project, his concentration has improved. Today, Trevor has even included meditation as a daily ritual. He meditates and prays every morning before going to school. His attention to class is better, he noticed.
“At Wat Pah Nanachat in Ubon Ratchathani, our teaching monks trained us to concentrate by putting us in front of a funeral pyre. I had never lied down in front of the funeral pyre before. While I was somewhat scared at first, I finally realized that deaths are natural. One was born, existed and then passed away,” Trevor said about his memorable moment with True Little Monk Project.
Love-Wait-Be Sufficient-Give
Pawaret Anthony Praneeprachachon or Pop, a participant in True Little Monk Year 5, said he became interested in the True Little Monk Project since the program organizing team made a roadshow to his school. Keen to learn more about Buddhism, he initially joined a three-day Dhamma camp first to get a taste of what it was like. As his faith deepened, he decided to participate in True Little Monk Project for one month at the Khao Wong Temple in Saraburi.
The temple’s abbot Phra Ratchaphawana Patcharayan guided the novice monks himself through meaningful sermons, subtle policies, and techniques that made the content easy to understand and apply. For example, he taught that patience and concentration could be used in various circumstances including at the time ones tried to suppress hunger late at night.
“I also got an opportunity to deliver a sermon based on my understanding as a novice monk. Although I stammered a bit. That opportunity allowed me to improve myself and bring smiles to my audiences,” Pop said about his good time as a True Little Monk.
Dhamma is Fundamental to Livable Society
Ajva Wattanapat or Punn, who joined True Little Monk Year 6, revealed that he initially intended to get ordained in dedication to His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great who had just passed away. At that time, he was only 8. So, he felt nervous about having to stay away from his parents for as long as one month.
However, after participating in the project’s activities that included not just the routines of a novice monk but also self-improvement activities, his horizons expanded. Via these activities, he learned to live among many people including other novice monks, mentors, and the project’s staff. He thus realized the importance of complying with rules, giving and sharing. Importantly, he learned how to meditate, focus, and control emotions. Such skills are extremely useful to his life as a teenager now that the world is full of temptations.
“I hope everyone will learn and understand Buddhism more. Dhamma brings happiness, solutions, sufficiency, and equality. All these things are the foundation of a livable society,” said Punn, who is now 14.
Peace-Ahimsa (Nonviolence)
Jirawat Homket or Top, a participant in True Little Monk Year 7, said he has been a long-time fan of the project’s reality show. To tell the truth, this reality show spurred his interest in Lord Buddha’s teachings. So, he handed in his application and fortunately he sailed through.
“I was overjoyed upon learning that I was chosen. To prepare myself for this project, I searched for information on monks at a forest monastery. I read Luang Por Chah’s Dhamma books for greater understanding. In Year 7, the project took its participants to Wat Pa Sai Ngam, a branch of Wat Nong Pa Pong,” Top said.
The biggest mental test, Meditative Walk around Funeral Pyre, was Top’s best moment in the project. He was always afraid of ghosts. But thanks to the guidance of teaching monks, Top realized there that his mind just imagined things. That’s when he understood Dhamma. Once he was “mindful”, he could see through his mind and fully understood what was going on.
Through meditation, concentration and praying, Top has transformed himself from an irascible boy to a well-composed boy. As he has applied what he learned from True Little Monk project to his daily life, his confidence and leadership shine. These qualities had never been in his possession before.
“Now, I dream of becoming a diplomat. I would love to foster good ties among parties in the international community because I really hope that the world will be in peace. Compassion and kindness make me fully understand the concepts of peace and asimha. They are now the inspirations behind my dream,” Top said.
Compassion & Kindness: Key to Happiness
Kridsikorn Settawarakorn or Namo, a participant in True Little Monk Project Year 8, disclosed that he submitted his application as soon as the project’s application period started that year. Namo had watched the projects’ reality show before and reckoned that its activities were interesting. Curious by nature, this boy really wanted to know more about the contents of the project. He handed in his application without any hesitation, fear, or concern. When his name appeared on the list of successful applicants, he was just over the moon.
The headmaster of True Little Monk Project Year 8 was Phra Ratchawatchara Photikhun, the abbot of Wat Suan Mokkh in Surat Thani. The theme was “Compassion & Kindness”, which are the key to happiness. Activities for the young participants included meditative walks, meditations, and Dhamma talks. Namo was excited about all the learning activities, which enabled him to easily learn Dhamma. To him, Dhamma is now the guiding principle.
“Every time I come across a problem about my studies or need to make a decision, I react based on Dhamma. It’s an assurance that my action or decision is morally correct,” Namo said.
Inspired by Dhamma, Namo has harbored a noble aspiration. At the age of 10, Namo hopes he will one day become a volunteer who propagates Dhamma via the delivery of easy-to-understand content. He believes that people need Dhamma as a life foundation in this fast-moving world.
Dhamma is Human Foundation
Natchanon Yongkrittaya or Pond, a participant in True Little Monk Year 9, said although he was naturally interested in Dhamma and Dhamma courses, he decided to get ordained as a novice monk out of his gratitude of his parents and grandparents. There is a widespread belief that older relatives can go to heaven if their children or grandchildren get into saffron robes.
“Becoming a novice monk lets me know more about myself. I’ve come to know myself more. I have a clearer view of my habits and where I should improve. Aside from doing self-development activities, I have also acquired insights into Lord Buddha’s history. I feel lucky that True Little Monk Year 9 was held at an ancient temple like Wat Mahae Yong in Ayutthaya. Phra Ratchaphawana Wachirayan, the temple’s abbot, served as our headmaster. At the temple, I have learned about the long-time close links of the nation, religions, and the monarchy,” Pond said.
Dhamma is the foundation of humanity. All humans, including students, should embrace Dhamma, practice mindfulness and embrace concentration so as to clearly distinguish what are right and what are wrong. People must be open-minded, reasonable, and willing to listen to others. Asked about his goal, Pond – who is now in Mathayom 1 – said he wanted to be knowledgeable and virtuous.
Follow for more stories from the year 10th of True Little Monk reality TV program on TrueVisions Reality Channel 60, 99, TrueVisions Reality HD Channel 119, 333 or online via TrueID or at www.truelittlemonk.com. Additionally, catch the highlights on TNN Channel 16, True4U Channel 24 and True Plookpanya Channel (TrueVisions Channel 37) from today until May 18. 2024.
