BUDDHIST PROPAGATION MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR LIVELIHOOD AND IDENTITY RESTORATION OF MON PEOPLE IN BANGKOK AND VICINITY

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1. To study general problems and
model of and Buddhist management propagation model for Livelihood and Identity
restoration of Mon People in Bangkok and Vicinity, 2. To study the approaches to
Buddhism propagation that support the livelihood and identity of Mon people in
Bangkok and vicinity and 3. To develop a model of Buddhism propagation that
supports the livelihood and identity of Mon people in Bangkok and vicinity
Methodology was the mixed methods between the qualitative and
quantitative methods. The quantitative research collected data with questionnaires
from 394 sample and analyzed data by descriptive statistics that are percentages,
mean, standard deviation. The qualitative research collected data from 18 key
informants by structured in-depth-interview. Data were also collected from 13
participants in focus group discussion and data were analyzed by contextual
descriptive interpretation.
The Findings of the research were as follows:
1. The general problems and model of Buddhism propagation of the Mon
people were to opening the opportunities to the public to participate in
propagation so that the public would learn the value of culture and livelihood
faster. The Mon people undertook Buddhadhamma to practice in daily life. Usually
the Mon people practiced according to their culture and tradition of birth,
ordination, wedding and death for that were practiced since their ancestors’ time.
From the Buddhism influences, the Mon people are diligent, honest and
harmonious and charitable with their neighbors and abiding by the rules and
regulations of the community the yielded the happiness and harmony in the
families and communities. The Mon dialogue was still used in daily communication
at each communities in each provinces.
2. Buddhism propagation methods of Mon people were in different
models that are culture, tradition, belief and rituals. Mon people have outstanding
identity in architecture, rituals, costumes and language. Normally Mon people dress
in Mon styles in the festival and in nowadays Mon people try to restore their own
language by inventing textbooks and folk fairy tales for their children. The model of
and Buddhist management propagation model for livelihood and identity
restoration of Mon People in Bangkok and Vicinity by overall were at high level with
the average of 3.59, standard deviation at 0.734. Considering each aspects werethat; Dhamma teaching was at high level with the average score of 3.47 and SD at
0.970, the Dhamma discussion was at high level with the average score of 3.64, SD
at 0.735, Dhamma teaching media was at middle level with the average of 3.81,SD
at 0.725. This condition might be because of lacking of budget support from other
agencies that made the Dhamma propagation was not so effective.
3. The model of Buddhism propagation management for livelihood and
identity restoration of Mon People by carrying out the culture and tradition
restoration through the monks’ roles in 4 aspects; 1) Dhamma teaching; there was
the restoration of Sila undertaking in Mon dialoque,Dhamma teaching, chanting and
blessing in Mon dialogue, 2) Dhamma lecturing must be done with good knowledge
and skill with the good purpose to reach the Mon people who are so faithful in
Buddhism, 3) Dhamma Discussion applying the present situation and condition for
more comprehension, 4) Dhamma dialog with polite and easy to understand
language, 5) Calmness meditation teaching with questions and answers to clear up
any doubt so that the trainees could use the training in daily life, 6) Dhamma
teaching media uses were used appropriately with the Mon people’s culture,
tradition and faith.