Magha Puja Day: Moral Structure from the Cāturaṅga Saṅgha Assembly to Policy Mobilization in the Digital Age

This article analyzes Makha Bucha Day as a foundational moment in the establishment of the moral structure of the Buddhist Sangha through the event of the Cāturongasannibāta and the proclamation of the Ovādapātimokkha by the Buddha. It argues that the Three Principles, Four Ideals and Six Practices constitute not merely ethical teachings but a normative framework that ensures institutional stability. The study differentiates between the Ovādapātimokkha and the Pātimokkha in structural terms and critically examines their relevance in contemporary society. Particular attention is given to the role of the Religious Affairs Department under the Ministry of Culture in Thailand, including the development of online candlelight circumambulation in the digital era. The article proposes policy-oriented strategies to transform symbolic rituals into measurable behavioral outcomes, thereby strengthening the sustainability of moral structures in modern Thai society.