ABSTRACT
The research consisted of three main objectives, namely: 1) to study the social development based on common principles of the monks in Maueng District, Surin Province; 2) to study the development of social development in accordance with Four Bhāvanās; and 3) to study problems and obstacles, as well as suggestions on the social development in accordance with Four Bhāvanās of the monks in Maueng District, Surin Province. This present study employed a Mixed Method with both Quantitative, with a survey, and qualitative research methodologies. The study sample consisted of 302 monks who lived in area of Maueng District, Surin Province. The subjects were recruited based on the sample size of Krejcie and Morgan. The instrument used in data collection was a questionnaire concerning the social development in accordance with Four Bhāvanās with reliance of 0.05. The data were analyzed in terms of Frequency, Percentage, Mean and Standard Deviation. Inferential statistic of t-test was used to determine the differences in mean scores of both groups, and One Way ANOVA was used to determine the differences in mean scores among three groups or more. Finally, the Least Significant Difference (LSD) was employed to test the differences between means of each pair. As for qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews were used with key Informants, and data were analyzed by means of content analysis.
The study findings revealed that
1. The overall opinions of monks towards social development based on Four Bhāvanās of Maueng District, Surin Province was at the great level ( = 3.75). When considering each aspect, it was found that the opinions toward all aspects were at great levels - Paññābhāvanā (Intellectual Development) (=3.80), Kāyabhāvanā (Physical Development), Silabhāvanā (Moral Development), and Cittabhāvanā (Emotional Development).
2. When comparing the opinions of monks toward social development based on the Four Bhāvanās of Maueng District, Surin Province, it was found that monks with different age, numbers of years in monkhood, general education, Dhamma education and position had different opinions toward social development based on the Four Bhāvanās of Maueng District, Surin Province, with statistical significance at 0.05 level accepting formulated hypotheses.
3. As regards problems and obstacles on social development based on the Four Bhāvanās of Maueng District, Surin Province, it is found that firstly, the monks do not know how to train lay people to develop complementary relationship with the physical environment, as well as the development of healthy body. Secondly, problems of behaviors - not following discipline, not hurting each other and also society. Thirdly, monks in Mauengsurin District do not pay great attention on meditation training that effect human mental incompetences: mental quality, mental effectiveness and spiritual health. Fourthly, most of monks in Maueng District lack knowledge in traing to develop wisdom correctly in accordance with Sutamayapaññā, Cintāmayapaññā and Bhāvanāmayapaññā.
4. As recommendation on social development based on the Four Bhāvanās of Maueng District, Surin Province, it is recommended that firstly, the monks should train lay people at least twice a month or every Buddhist Sabbath with the way to eat only useful food and good enough for health. Secondly, the monks should arrange activities to observe five precepts in every village and also train villagers to follow precepts and live with others without any harm. Thirdly, monks should pay great attention on meditation with both Samatha and Vipassana in order to develop mental to be full of virtues, and. Finally, Sangha Governor and Sangha Administrators should be trained more often in order to develop wisdom for the sake of understanding and knowing the things as it be and also enable to be free from desires and sufferings, as well as solve several problem wisely.
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