What function does Theravada Buddhism have in the community?
The foundation of Buddhist practice is morality. In this age, where there is so much emphasis on materialism, wholesome social values are too often compromised. Having an institution, or individuals, that make goodness the basis of their lives is of great value. There is the danger of judgmental self-righteousness – witch burning and all that – but I haven’t seen much of this in the name of Buddhism. The last witch we burnt was . . . just joking! My personal approach is to concentrate on sorting my own stuff and hope that any success in this will support others by way of example. A monastery provides a very tangible reference point for people; a whole community putting a lot of effort into being good. There are opportunities for people to visit the monastery, perhaps stay a few days, and get a good feel of what a wholesome community is like in reality – rather than just as an idea. Most people find this very inspiring, uplifting and encouraging. The goal of Buddhism is enlightenment an
