| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立台北護理學院 === 生死教育與輔導研究所 === 98 === Based on phenomenological hermeneutics, this study discussed Buddhist priest’s coping strategy and adaptation towards family members’ attitudes when becoming a monk or nun. Semi-structured in-depth interview was carried out to collect information, and 19 Buddhist priests were interviewed in total. The collected information was analyzed according to the four steps of hermeneutic phenomenological analysis that were proposed by Chang-Xiong Cai (2004). After analyzing the result and discussion of this study, the coping strategy of Buddhist’s priest towards family members’ attitudes when becoming a monk or nun was established.
The result of study indicated that after a Buddhist priest learns about Buddha dharma, spiritual realization is formed, and then the behavior and thought would also be changed; when a belief is changed to confidence and ascertainment, he/she decides to become a Buddhist priest to preach Buddhism. The motives for a priest to become a monk or nun are: 1. pursuit of religion spirit and meaning of life; 2. altruistic; 3. experience of painful life, wanting to get rid of the pain, or experience of the beauty of Buddha dharma; 4. wanting to escape from transmigration or vexation; 5. wanting to be a role model for others; 6. repentance or paying a debt of gratitude; 7. his/her own wish.
During the decision of becoming a monk or nun, his/her family members would “respect and agree” or “oppose and disagree” with this decision. The family members who respected and agreed with this decision would discuss with the priest actively and assist with the consequential matters. For the family members who opposed and disagreed with this decision, they would feel heartbroken, sorrowful; indignant, hateful, angry, detestable, censurable; afraid, fearful; ashamed, self-deprecating; lost; frightened; worried, not able to let go; painful, helpless; and nothing they could do. This study also showed that some of the family members who opposed with this decision would become ill because of missing the priest, they also felt confused, could not believe this decision, could not accept this decision, felt abandoned, felt frustrated, and thought that the priest became a monk or nun because he/she was deceived, threatened, or fallen victim by somebody or something. In addition, these opposing family members would use different kinds of methods to prevent the priest from becoming a monk or nun.
With regard to the family members’ attitude, the priest used coping strategy, and this study classified his/her coping strategy into five types, including “consider his/her own opinion first”, “consider other side’s opinion first”, “consider his/her and other side’s opinion”, “without social contact (others were not involved) coping strategy”, and “practice the religion idea of Buddhism”. Three main aspects influenced the priest’s choice of coping strategy: 1. personal – motive strength of becoming a monk or nun; 2. Buddhist rite for the dead – handling method of Buddhist rite for the dead, relationship with the master, and experience from other priests; 3. family members – family members’ emotions, relationship with family members, important family members such as parents and children need to be take care of or not, and family economic situation. Based on this finding, this study established the functional model of Buddhist priest’s coping strategy and adaptation towards family members’ attitude when becoming a monk or nun.
After analyzing the result of study, this study discussed the reasons for the family members to change their attitudes, and the priest’s appreciation and shame for his/her family members because of becoming a monk or nun thoroughly. Then, conclusions and relevant suggestions were provided for the descendants with similar situations and organizations as a reference.
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