Objective:To study quality of life and factors affecting quality of life among urban Buddhist monks.

Materials and Methods:This was a cross sectional survey study of 200 monks in Dusit and Nong Chok district, Bangkok. The survey instruments used a socio-demographic factors questionnaires, WHO Quality of Life-BREF Thai edition (WHOQOL – BREF – THAI) and Suanprung Stress Test - 20 (SPST-20).

Results:Most of the monks (53.5%) disclosed moderate level quality of life. Forty-four percent and 5 percent reported a good level and not good level quality of life respectively. The statistically significant factors related to quality of life were age, education before ordination, temple factor, financial status and stress level. Significant predictive factors of good quality of life were monks aged between 41 to 60 [Odds ratio (OR)2.27, 95% CI 1.19-4.33, p = 0.013], no conflict in the temple (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.37-9.11, p = 0.009), having enough money to spend (OR4.29, 95% CI 1.56-11.81, p = 0.005), and low to moderate stress level (OR5.06, 95% CI 2.43-10.55, p = < 0.001).

Conclusion:Stress screening and surveying monks’ problems, especially conflict in the temple and economic problems, including providing guidance on problem management led to a good quality of life among Buddhist monks.