THE MODEL OF TEMPLES DEVELOPMENT AS SPIRITUAL CENTER OF PEOPLE IN SARABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1. To study general condition of
monastery development for people’s spiritual centers in Saraburi Province, 2. To
study principles and concepts of monastery development for people’s spiritualcenters in Saraburi Province and 3.To analyze a model of monastery development
for people’s spiritual centers in Saraburi province.
Methodology was the qualitative research collected data from 26 key
informants who were administrative monks, government officers, educational
institutes administrators, Buddhists in Saraburi Province and academicians of
Buddhism, purposefully selected with structured in-depth-interview form and from
10 participants in focus group discussion, analyzed data by descriptive
interpretation.
Findings were as follows:
1. General condition of monastery development for people’s spiritual
centers in Saraburi Province was that: personnel or administrative monk Factors;
monks were more educated and able to preach well. Budgetary factors; there was
budget to develop monastery into a happy, clean, clear, pleasant, pleasant to look
at, peaceful and green place. Material and equipment factor; the materials and
equipment met standard and regulations. Management factor; management was
geared for happiness creation for Buddhists.
2. Concept of the roles of monasteries were that 1) education center, 2)
welfares provider, 3) resting place for travelers, 4) conflict arbitrators, 5) cultural and
arts center, 6) material depot, 7) service center for people development according
to Tisikkha; Sila, Samadhi and Panya.
3. A model of monastery development for people’s spiritual centers in
Saraburi Province was that: 1) Education promotion; education in the past originated
in monasteries. Monks had the important roles in providing education, reading and
writing, livelihood, family way of life. In the age of education reform with European
methods, monks were still had roles in delivery education to society, to people
and officers. 2) Social welfares provider; monasteries helped needy people, poor
children, people confronting disaster with food, clothes, shelters. Monasteries are as
hotels for monks who travel through without charge. 3) resting place for travelers;
shelters for students from afar who came to town and cities for higher education. A
resting place for those who come to undertake precepts, nun, old people and
disable, renting the land for housing project with low price. 4) conflict arbitrator;
Buddhism is the important root of politics and government that help people live
together in harmony. Monasteries use Buddhadhamma to arbitrate the conflicts
among people to create the peace in the world. 5) Cultural and arts centers;Monasteries acted as the centers of culture and arts that are the social heritage
from the past, the social identity that hold and bond people together as a nation.