The Role of Sangha Role in Secular Atmospheres During the Reign of King Mindon

The Myanmar Kings through ages wanted the Sangha Order to adhere strictly the Vinaya (codes of conducts for the Buddhist monks). The monks were so adhesive to Vinaya that Buddha Sāsanawillpropagate. Therefore the monks of Sangha Order remain isolated from the secular affairs according to Vinaya (code of conducts for the Sangha Order). However the monks through ages involved in the secular atmosphereswhen the country was in a state of emergency. Moreover they engaged in political, economic and social affairs when the king requested them for the development of the country. During the reign of King Mindonthe SanghaOrder became more involved in these affairs. On the other hand, King Mindon established the Thudhamma Council (Ecclesiastical Council) led by ThathanabaingSayadaw(head of Sangha Order) because he wanted the monks to adhere strictly the Vinaya. But, on the one hand, the country was experiencing the political, economic and social crises affected by the two Anglo-Myanmar Wars. Under such circumstances, King Mindon had to settle these problems with the help of the monks who influenced over the people. Some monks who wanted to keep aloof from the secular affairs built and resided the forest monastery. Therefore, the Sangha Order was divided into two sects: araññavasi sect called the forest-dweller monks and gamavasi sect known to the town-dweller monks. Nevertheless, gaing-ôk (local monk leader), gaing-dauk(assistant leader of gaingôk) and taikôk (abbot sayadaw) and taik-kyat(assistant oftaik-ôk) under leadership of ThudhammaCouncil (Ecclesiastical Council) led by ThathanabaingSayadaw advised and helped the king for the stability and development of the country. This paper will evaluate how the Sangha Order assisted the king for the benefit of the country and people