THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATIONAL MECHANISMS FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION TO ENHANCE WISDOM AND VIRTUE BASED ON BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES: A CASE OF MAHACHULALONGKORNRAJAVIDYALAYA UNIVERSITY IN THAILAND AND ABROAD

Abstract

This research aimed to (1) study the operational mechanisms for arts and cultural preservation based on Buddhist principles at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University in Thailand and abroad, (2) analyze problems, obstacles, and priority needs for mechanism development, and (3) propose a sustainable mechanism development approach that enhances wisdom and virtue. A mixed-methods research design was employed. The population consisted of 2,850 monks/persons involved in arts and cultural preservation across 43 university units. The sample size was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula, yielding 350 monks/persons, and 258 valid questionnaires were returned, representing 73.71 percent, together with data from 25 key informants. The research instruments comprised a questionnaire, an in-depth interview form, and a focus group discussion guide. Content validity was verified by experts, with IOC values ranging from 0.60 to 1.00. The questionnaire was tried out with 30 respondents having similar characteristics, and its overall reliability coefficient was 0.92. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, content analysis, and the Modified Priority Needs Index.

The findings revealed that (1) the current mechanism consisted of five dimensions. Policy and planning were at a high level (mean = 4.36, S.D. = 0.72), while Buddhist principle integration was a key strength (mean = 4.28–4.33). (2) The urgent problems were inadequate budget allocation (PNI = 0.489), discontinuous activities with limited long-term impact (PNI = 0.487), and insufficient specialized personnel (PNI = 0.472). (3) The proposed development approach was the BCMD Model, which connects the five operational dimensions with the Four Noble Truths, Four Bhāvanā, Five Ariyavaḍḍhi, Four Iddhipāda, and Four Saṅgahavatthu to drive conservation, transmission, development, and continuous evaluation, as well as to strengthen learning networks, participation, and data utilization in order to concretely enhance the quality of work