AN APPLICATION OF BUDDHISM FOR PSYCHOLOGY EDUCATION OF MAHACHULALONGKORNRAJAVIDYALAYA UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study comprises objectives: 1) to study an application of Buddhism for Psychology education of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University focusing on applicants’ status, curriculum administrating experience, educational qualification and academic position; and 2) to analyze results of an application of Buddhadhamma for Psychology education of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University; and 3) to present ways for a development and alteration of an application of Buddhadhamma for Psychology education of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. The study is a mixed method research between quantitative research and qualitative research in nature. An evaluative form is used for collecting quantitative data from 5 scholars, 5 administrators, 10 instructors and 20 students and in-depth interview and Focus group discussion are used for collecting qualitative data. Statistics comprising Percentage, Mean and Standard Deviation (SD) are used for analyzing quantitative data and a content analysis is used for analyzing qualitative data.

Results of the study were as follows.

1.In respect of general information of applicants of an application of Buddhism for Buddhist Psychology education of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University it found that most 80 percent scholars were laypersons, 100 percent had working experiences in the field of the program administration for 10 years and above and 80 percent of them were assistant professors, most 60 percent administrators were laypersons, 80 percent had working experiences in the field of the program administration for 10 years and above and 80 percent of them were assistant professors, most 70 percent instructors were laypersons, 50 percent had working experiences in the field of the program administration for 10 years and above and 50 percent of them were assistant professors, and all scholars, administrators and instructors completed Ph.D. degree, whereas most 85 percent students were laypersons, most of them were female and 30 percent were male, the majority of them was 30 years old, and 100 percent they had occupations before joining this program.

2.With regard to results of analyzing an application of Buddhadhamma for Psychology education of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University it revealed that 1) the result of measurement of the curriculum context comprised (1) measurement of the curriculum context by scholars in general had the high mean of 0.80, while considering each aspect first three aspects with the most mean of relationships included the relationship of objectives of Faculty, nation’s need, proper objectives of the curriculum respectively, (2) the opinion of administrators, instructors and students in general had the high mean of 4.16; 2) the result of measurement of input comprised (1) the opinion of administrators, instructors and students on the measurement of the structure and proper courses of the curriculum in general had the high mean, (2) the opinion of scholars, administrators, instructors and students on the appropriation of courses in the curriculum in general had the high mean of 3.91, (3) the opinion of administrators, instructors and students on instructors’ attributes in general had the high mean of 4.26, (4) the opinion of administrators, instructors and students on students’ readiness in general had the high mean of 3.88, and (5) the opinion of administrators, instructors and students on education supportive facilities in general had the high mean of 3.74; 3) for the result of measurement of process the opinion of administrators, instructors and students on the process of the curriculum administration and appropriation of education in general had the high mean in all aspects; and 4) the result of measurement of output in general had the highest mean, while considering each aspect the mean of aspects of morality and ethics, knowledge, intellectual skill, inter-personal skill and responsibility, arithmetic skill, communication and information technology was high respectively.

3.With regard to ways for a development and alteration of an application of Buddhadhamma for Psychology education of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University it found that the curriculum should have the identification of Buddhist Psychology focusing on meditation as Buddhist Psycho-therapy, more self-study and practical parts than course works, instructors responsible for the curriculum should conduct research works and develop academic writings as designated by Office of Higher Education and graduates should be good examples with good morality and responsibility and integrate the knowledge of Buddhism with Psychology.