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into other areas. There have been a migration of temples from isolated and inaccessible locations into the urban areas.
There has been some rather substantial accumulation of wealth and a proliferation of temples. These changes have had an incalculable impact on the life-style of the monks. Northern immigrants accustomed to the well-ordered daily schedule of prayer and meditation at public monasteries cannot find the support to continue such practices. There simply are not enough monks for such a system to work. Monks of local origin lose their incentive for whatever spiritual work they perform when they take up lodging in the city. Above and beyond these changes in material condition, there is a growing sense of the futility of old spiritual practices like prayer and meditation. These are increasingly looked upon as quaint, archaic, backward, if not downright superstitious by the ordinary citizen. It would not be a surprise if the monks were losing their sense of purpose. Hence, consciously or not, they are looking for a new definition of monkhood, a monkhood appreciated by society at large, a monkhood the monks themselves can be proud of. The new monkhood should accentuate its visible contributions to society. The monk is not a parasite on society but one who dedicates himself to the welfare of all in accordance with the Mahayana ideal of self-giving. What can manifest this spirit more than involvement with education, welfare, social work, homes for the aged, hospitals, youth work and so on? The new monk is not solely concerned with antiquated, unintelligible religious practices, but is a man dedicated to the service of all.
The articulation of this new image of monkhood was precipitated by an acute shortage of recruits for the sangha, which in turn initiated self-reflection and examination. A wide range of issues came under discussion. There was a recognition of the necessity of adjustment to modern life in a city. There was a conviction that the old manner of living had gone forever.
forever. There was a belief that old-fashioned prayer and meditation were not appreciated by society at large. Cut off from the old way of living, the monks experienced an increasing sense of inadequacy. Were they to be judged a backward and superstitious lot who tried to make a living with their rather dubious ceremonies for the dead? It was with this scenario in mind that they stressed the
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