BUDDHISM AFFAIRS REFORM DRIVING MECHANISM FOR BUDDHISM DISSEMINATION OF BUDDHIST MONKS, CHAINAT PROVINCE

Abstract

This research was conducted with objectives support the Buddhism affairs reform policy of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand, applying  the mixed methods research: The qualitative research collected data from document and 24 key informants with structured in-depth-interview form about the general condition and problems of Buddhism dissemination of monks in Chainat Province. Also data were collected from participants in focus group discussion about the Buddhist affairs reform driving mechanism. Data were analyzed by descriptive interpretation. The quantitative research collected data from 328 samples who were monks in Chainat Province with questionnaires to confirm the component and process of Buddhism reform driving mechanism.  Findings were as follows: 1. The general condition of Buddhism dissemination in Chainat Province were that the methods used were preaching and setting up Buddhist activities such as merit making, teaching morality in schools, summer ordination and five precept observing village project. 2. The components of work-plan for driving Buddhism Affairs Reform on Buddhism dissemination in Chainat Province were of 10 plans: 1) model monks creation; 2) religious inheritors; 3) networking; 4) online media dissemination adding; 5) community religious master of ceremony training; 6) monasteries as the centers for activities and folk culture learning; 7) model preaching monks; 8) monks potentials creation; 9) monasteries with modern technology and  10) community participatory network creation. 3. There must be plan implementation and evaluation by Deming management method PDCA: Having a clear plan, following the plan, monitoring, improving operation at every stage. 4. Sangha’s opinions agreed with the components and process on Buddhism dissemination by overall were at high level.