| Translations of Kappiya | |
|---|---|
| English | lay attendant |
| Pali | kappiyakāraka |
| Burmese | ကပ္ပိယ (MLCTS:kaʔpḭya̰) |
| Thai | ลูกศิษย์วัด / เด็กวัด (RTGS:luuk sit wat / dek wat) |
| Glossary of Buddhism | |
Kappiya is a Buddhist laymanciple (attendant or steward) who resides in a monastery (vihāra) and assists Buddhist monks (bhikkhu in Pali).
The termkappiya, which literally means "lawful" or "proper,"[1] is ofPali origin, and is also employed in theBurmese language (Burmese:ကပ္ပိယ). The compound wordkappiyakāraka (lit. 'one who makes it befitting') is also used in Pali.[2] In Thailand, the termsluuk sit wat (ลูกศิษย์วัด) anddek wat (เด็กวัด), commonly rendered into English as "temple boy", are typically used. In Cambodia, the termkhmeng voat (ក្មេងវត្ត) is used.[3]
Thekappiya's primary role is to assist ordained Buddhist monks with various tasks, especially those which are forbidden by theVinaya, the set of Buddhist monastic rules (e.g., handling of money).[4][5] Akappiya is not ordained, unlike bhikkhu,bhikkhunī,sāmaṇera or sāmaṇerī.Kappiya may also assist in other capacities, including carrying alms bowls during morning alms collection, and preparing food for monks.
In Myanmar (Burma),kappiya are generally young men or boys who live in the monastery they support.[6] Some female renunciants calledkappiyathilashin also serve as lay attendants to monastic institutions (kyaung), providing support to ordained monks as managers and treasurers, entrusted with the ongoing upkeep of monasteries.[7][8]
In Thailand,kappiya are typically young boys (typically between the ages of 10 and 15)[9] who are affiliated with temples (wat) and provide cleaning services, run errands and collect gifts in exchange for food, lodging, instruction, and other benefits.[10] Some are sent to become temple boys to acquiremerit; others, because they are given free room and board; and others to receivereligious andmoral instruction. Some temple boys go on to be ordained as monks themselves. Temple boys may undertake the formal step ofsāmaṇera ordination as part of their role, depending on their age and local custom. Historically speaking, serving as a temple boy has provided a means for social mobility; notable figures including politicians (Chuan Leekpai andWatana Muangsook) and actors (e.g.,Rangsiroj Panpeng) spent their formative years in this role.[10]
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