Innovation Development for the Propagation of Buddhism through Phaya-Isan of Dhamma Preachers in the Northeast Region

Abstract

Innovation development for the propagation of Buddhism through Phaya-Isan of Dhamma preachers contributes to more effective Buddhism propagation and provides more convenience to both the propagators and recipients. The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to study the Buddha’s teachings and methods for propagating Buddhism; 2) to study Phaya-Isan and the problems of propagating Buddhism through Phaya-Isan by Dhamma preachers in the northeast region as well as to develop innovation for propagating Buddhism; and 3) to assess the results of using innovation to propagate Buddhism. The study applied a research and development method by studying documents. The Phaya-Isan innovation was used as the research tool, with 25 Dhamma recipients serving as key informants. Cultural officers, teachers, members of the Sub-district Administrative Organization and Sub-district Municipality, private business owners, farmers, and students were among the key informants gathered through stratified random sampling. Purposive sampling was used to acquire those from the provinces of Udon Thani, Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Khon Kaen, and Chaiyaphum. The data obtained were utilized to assess the innovation before it was redeveloped in order to propagate Buddhism to the public via Facebook channel.

From the study, the following results are found: 1) The Buddha’s teachings consist of many virtues but the most popular one is Trisikkhā (Threefold Training), which is in conformity with human’s way of life comprising Sīla (morality), Samādhi (concentration), and Paññā (wisdom). The Buddha has many teaching methods but this study focuses on Geyya (discourses mixed with verses) as part of Navaṅga-satthusāsana (the Master’s ninefold teaching) while the content emphasizes the Kusala-kammapatha (10 Wholesome Courses of Action) and Akusala-kammapatha (10 Unwholesome Courses of Action); 2) From the interviews with Phaya-Isan preachers, the problem found is that the Dhamma preachers and recipients are unable to understand the Phaya-Isan, which uses ancient terminology. As a result, the researcher has composed the Phaya-Isan in 38 chapters, which uses current language and focuses on Kusala-kammapatha and Akusala-kammapatha. The Dhamma preachers have used them in their preaching, which have been videotaped and documented. The in-depth interview form is created before being given to the experts for review and focus group discussion; and 3) The results from using innovation of 25/25 Dhamma recipients are found as follows: 100% have obtained the Dhamma knowledge, 96% have been impressed with the preaching, and 96% have had better behavior. The innovation development through Phaya-Isan has been revised and the Thai central language has been added for interpretation, before being published on Facebook in order to propagate Buddhism for the public.