The Development of Buddhadhamma Teaching process in Schools with Buddhist Arts: A Case Study of School Teachers in Sawai Subdistrict, Prang Ku District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to study the contexts and problems, as well as analyzing the needs of teaching Buddhadhamma of schools in Sawai subdistrict and relate theories; 2) to develop the teaching process of Buddhadhamma with Buddhist arts; and 3) to present the development of teaching process of Buddhadhamma in schools with Buddhist arts. The study was a qualitative research by means of research and development process from studying documents, in-depth interviews with 21 persons, focus group discussion with 8 persons, and trial with 15 Buddhist subject teachers from 4 schools in Sawai subdistrict. The data analysis was by evaluating the satisfaction level on knowledge, understanding, and the observation of teachers who attended the training. From the study, the following results are found: 1) The problems of teaching Buddhadhamma are as follows: the teachers lack understanding, analyzing skills, and experiences, therefore, they are unable to relate the Buddhadhamma with the present time. They focus on the recitation teaching method only. 2) The development of the teaching process of Buddhadhamma with Buddhist arts, the study found that Buddhist arts are a tool for disseminating Buddhism by transforming from abstract concepts to something concrete that can be seen and touched which can help to persuade the mind of the people to have faith, will, and Iddhipāda (four paths of accomplishment). 3) The development of the teaching process of Buddhadhamma with Buddhist arts of teachings in Sawai subdistrict, consists of 6 aspects under the framework of I-T-S-T-A-P model as follows: “I” stands for inner peace; “T” stands for teachers of Buddhadhamma; “S” stands for skills for teaching Buddhadhamma; “T” stands for tools and methods for teaching Buddhadhamma; “A” stands for Buddhist arts; and “P” stands for a process of teaching Buddhadhamma. The study also found 5 procedures of learning: practicing mindfulness, developing oneself for Buddhadhamma, creating arts and Buddhadhamma, exchanging knowledge and sharing experiences, summarizing and applying the Buddhadhamma to the teaching and learning. The development of the teaching process of Buddhadhamma with Buddhist arts can be used for problem-solving on teaching Buddhadhamma of teachers in Sawai subdistrict. Teachers can apply the teaching of Buddhadhamma which will lead to self-development as well as the development of students.