ABSTRACT

                      This thesis entitled ‘The Opinions of the People Participated in the Proactive Dhamma Dissemination Project of the Tawantham Project’ has three objectives: 1) to study the method of proactive Dhamma dissemination in accordance with Buddhism, 2) to study the proactive Dhamma dissemination of the Tawantham project and 3) to study opinions of people participated in the proactive Dhamma dissemination project of the Tawantham project. This research is a mixed methodological study by using a quantitative and survey research. Questionnaires were used in collecting data from 300 participants taking part in the project of Tawantham at Tawanna Hotel and then data were analyzed in percentage.

     It was found that in Lord Buddha’s times, the proactive dissemination method had been used by Him; He Himself obviously went to preach Dhamma to all classes of people through various teaching methods giving rise to the domination of Buddhism over Indian soils. Later on, such a proactive Dhamma dissemination reached its peak in the period of Ashoka, the Great, who ruled the country by means of Buddhist Dhamma. In this time, nine groups of monks’ missionaries had been sent out to various countries for propagation of Buddhism. At the present, the mentioned project has been gradually revolutionized in many forms, both in monks and laypeople. In monks, there are public educations for public and supports for general, in laypeople, there is proactive Dhamma dissemination project organized in various forms of activities in Buddhist holidays.

                 The proactive Dhamma dissemination project of Tawantham project has been actively initiated and pioneered by Phrarãjapatibhãnmunĩ, an Assistant of Abbot of Watprayurawongsãvãsavoravihãra. In this project, the method of proactive Dhamma dissemination project has been purposely applied to suit the ways of people’s living life in accordance with societal situations in the present; the participation of general people after working hours is deliberately chosen so that people can properly spend their valuable times. The method of proactive Dhamma dissemination can be step by step categorized as follows: it begins with chanting, walking meditation, sitting meditation and listening to Dhamma by prescribing the main Dhamma for making people understand Buddhist teachings such as the Five Precepts, the Five ennobling virtues, Four Sublime States of mind, Virtues for a good household life, Six Directions, Six Causes of Ruin and Cultivation.

                 In the activity of Tawantham Project, it showed that most of participants were female whose ages were in between 31-40 years, completing bachelor degree, and working as staffs in the company. In overall, those who got less understanding of Buddhist tenets were at less of 54.36%, when considered in particular, it was at least level in the Buddhist tenets and the active application of Buddhism in solving various problems showed 92.67%, when considered in particular it was at highest level 0.00%.

                 In overall, participants who had a proper understanding of Buddhism were at highest level 52.36%, when considered in particular it was at highest level in the Buddhist tenets and its active application in solving various problems was 92.67%, those who god a proper understanding of Buddhism were at least level 0.00%.

     In overall, those who participated in the activity always followed Dhamma in daily life were 71.93%, when considered in particular it showed the highest level in the third precept, sympathetic joy when people succeeded, having tranquility in making decision, the support of father and mother, taking of each other between wife and husband, honesty in making friends showed equally 100%.

     In overall, the opinions about the benefit gained by taking part in the activity of the Tawantham’s project expressed by participants were at highest level 64.76%, when considered in particular it showed the regular level in the Dhamma activity organized in the Hotel giving rise to the development of their mind, bringing about happiness which was at 79.67%.

                 In the proactive Dhamma dissemination project of the Tawantham project, it showed that those who participated in the activity gained a great deal of benefit as well as the improvement of knowledge in Buddhist tenets leading to behavioural changes in a good moral manner.

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