A Study of Dhamma Dissemination of Sangha in Wat Phrammahatatu Voramahavihara, Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This article was a part of the research on “A Study of Dhamma Dissemination of Sangha in Wat Phrammahatatu Voramahavihara, Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province”, containing 2 objectives; 1) to study the concept of Dhamma propagation theory, and 2) study of Dhamma dissemination of Sangha in Wat Phrammahatatu Voramahavihara, Muang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The data of this qualitative research were collected from documents, research works, in-depth interviews with 12 experts, and then analyzed by content analysis.

The results of research indicated that: 1) The dissemination of the Buddha's teachings is the introduction of commands, teachings to be conveyed to the public in order to comprehension and application for the ultimate goal from generation to generation which contains many teachings leading to the cessation of suffering and depending on the level of intelligence of those who have been inherited. The dissemination is therefore according to the level of interest and suitability of the listeners is Lokiya and Lokuttra Dhamma. For propagation in today Thai society, the Sangha focuses on Dhamma for the masses, and stating on more importance of moral level by making it easier and more convenient for those who are ready to conduct and practice Dhamma and not only for monks by propagating virtues through people, places worship, religious objects, scriptures, and government policies, 2) a study of Dhamma dissemination of Sangha in Wat Phrammahatatu Voramahavihara. It was found that all Sangha within the temple operates continuously from the past to the present. The propagation has a pattern as the Sangha’s work, and every activity must be performed together, the results will be achieved by knowledge, comprehension and application in all 5 main activities including preaching, Dhamma practice, education management, virtue training camps, and public welfare without giving these duties to the Sangha alone but the recipient or the person involved including the government’s support and helps of the temple and Sangha in order to be the basis for movement the propagation activities in Buddhism to prosper.

The results of the study indicated that: 1) The dissemination of the Buddha's teachings is the introduction of commands, teachings to be conveyed to the public in order to perception, comprehension and application for the ultimate goal from generation to generation. Which contains many principles that lead to the cessation of suffering and depends on the level of intelligence of those who have been inherited. The dissemination is therefore according to the level of interest and suitability of the listeners is Lokiya and Lokuttra Dhamma. Propagation in Thai society today, the Sangha will focus on Dhamma principles for the masses. And will give more importance to the moral level by making it easier and more convenient for those who are ready to conduct and practice Dharma and not necessarily a priest by means of propagating the principles through people, places worship, religious objects, scriptures, and government policies. 2) A Study of Dhamma Dissemination of Sangha in Wat Phrammahatatu Voramahavihara. It was found that Sangha of all levels within the temple operates continuously from the past to the present. The propagation has a pattern according to the expertise of the Sangha. And every activity must cooperate together. Such as, results will be achieved by perception, comprehension and application them in all 5 main activities. Including preaching, dharma practice, education management, virtue training camps, and public welfare. Without giving these duties to the Sangha alone. But the recipient or the person involved including the government must support and help the temple and Sangha in order to be the basis for movement the propagation activities in Buddhism to prosper.