Talapoin - Siamese designation of Buddhist ascetics or monks, known by various names, except Siam, also on the island of Ceylon . Sometimes they are also called bonzes .
Basic Information
The word "talapoyin" comes from the Pali word "Talâpat" (" palm leaf" from the Pali word "palm tree" - "tala"), which the Siamese people call a big fan of palm leaves, embedded in a thin wooden frame. Fan talapouiny always take with you when leaving the house. Adherents of Buddhism show the greatest respect for talapoins, which in Burma are called Fonghi (great glory) or Raban (perfect).
Like Christian monks, talapoins refuse secular entertainment, wear a special costume, live in communities, shy away from everything that could increase human passions, imposing a vow of poverty on themselves and refusing to satisfy most sensual needs. Their goal is to achieve holiness and perfection by observing the highest commandments of the law. All the time talapoin is devoted to the repetition of prayers, the reading of sacred books, collecting alms for their own food , etc.
The community of talapoins consists, firstly, of young people who are clothed in talapoins' clothes, but not yet considered to be full members of the fraternity: some of them have already gone through a certain skill, reminiscent of Christian dedication. These novices, or novices, are called shung . The second class of talapoins is formed by members who already lived in the community for some time on trial and were admitted as full members with established ceremonies for such cases, and they are given the title talapoins. This class of talapoins is called pazin .
The third class of the order of talapooins is made up by the superior, or abbot, of separate communities, vested with power over all the brethren. By the fourth, the upper class belong to the provincial or diocesan chiefs, whose power extends to all communities within the same province or region. Finally, the fifth and highest level of the hierarchy is occupied by Haya Dawa , or the great master, who resides in the capital and manages the affairs of the entire order throughout the country.
See also
- Bhikkhu
- Buddhism in Thailand
Literature
- Bulich S.K. Talapoin // Encyclopedic dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron : in 86 tons (82 tons and 4 extra). - SPb. , 1890-1907.