The meditation system of the supreme patriarch suk kaithuean as a living tradition at Wat Ratchasittharam

Abstract

This study aims to examine the history and practice of the Matchima meditation system. It is a system believed to have been passed down by the fourth Supreme Patriarch of the Bangkok era, the Venerable Suk, when he was the abbot at Wat Ratchasittharam. The secondary aim is to explore the differences and commonalities between the manuscript, which the Venerable Suk had inherited and based his teachings on, and the living tradition now taught at the temple. To obtain a holistic understanding of the meditation system as a living tradition, this thesis examines it from five different facets; physical space, perceptions of history, philosophy, pedagogical methods and the perspectives of the practitioners. To achieve this, the researcher made himself a participant of the meditation system by becoming a disciple of the main instructor, Luang Pho Wira. Field research also included an examination into temple publications, the layout and material culture in the temple surroundings, one-on-one interviews with practitioners and the distribution of questionnaires. Besides fieldwork on the temple grounds, literary research into academic and theological literature was conducted with the aims of developing an insight into three subject areas necessary in developing the arguments for this thesis. Firstly, gathering information about contemporary Buddhist meditation movements in Thailand so as to understand their common appeal in present day Thai society and their common features. Secondly, examining the notion of monolithic Theravāda Buddhism and how this notion is not relevant when used to analyze the transmission of meditation teachings. Thirdly, understanding the concept of the Yogāvacara tradition- an ancient tradition of esoteric meditation teachings in Mainland Southeast Asia and how the Venerable Suk’s manuscript fits into this tradition. Based on the data collected and analyzed, the thesis argues that that the Matchima meditation system, which can be considered part of the ancient Yogāvacara tradition, had evolved over time to fit the needs of a changing Thai society. However, despite its adaptation, it still retains certain esoteric practices that set it apart from contemporary meditation systems. I also claim that despite popular conceptions of a monolithic and inflexible Theravāda Buddhism that was believed to have been established since the fourth reign, the Matchima meditation system represents an aspect of Theravāda spiritual practice that is constantly evolving, adapting itself and has even contributed to the rise of other traditions. This proves that Theravāda Buddhism, when viewed from a different lens is actually more flexible, dynamic and multifaceted than previously conceived.