ABSTRACT

This study of ‘Buddhist Dialogue for Unity between Temple and Baan Nongphai Community in Kanchanaburi ’ consists of 3 objectives, i.e., (1) to study the idea of Dialogue according to western theories and Buddhist way; (2) to study problem situation of unity lacking between the temple and Baan Nongphai Community in Kanchanaburi; and (3) to study the application of using Buddhist Dialogue to create unity between the temple and  Baan Nongphai Community.
This study was a qualitative research. The study documents and participant observation.                                                 

From this analytical study, it is found that the Dialogue both in accordance with Buddhist principles and western theories aim to listening as the important matter; nevertheless, there are different points of listening.  Listening in Buddhist way is to obtain wisdom according to the principle of Sammāditฺtฺhi (the right understanding) for reaching the higher goal of being free from sorrows than wisdom, which the researcher call it ‘Buddhist Dialogue’ while the aim of Dialogue in western theories does not need to obtain being free from sorrows; it is just the listening to uplift good relationship to each other for the aim of unity.

From studying the problem situation, the cause of unity lacking between the temple and Baan Nongphai Community in Kanchanaburi is from not listening to each other.   Their conflicts are divided into 2 categories of internal and external ones.  The internal conflict is in the aspects of different thought, feelings and value whereas the external one is caused by different benefits, information and social structure. 

In applying ‘Buddhist Dialogue to create unity between the temple and Baan Nongphai Community in Kanchanaburi’, the researcher will emphasize the process of human beings’ perception as the core, called inner and outer ‘Ãyatana’ together with giving example sets of Dhamma principles; i.e. Brahmavihāradhamma, Khantidhamma, and Sārānฺīyadhamma for promoting the means of creating unity through the process of listening and participation for the result of wider, equal and friendly atmosphere.  Hence, listening and Dialogue are the process of communication with loving kindness which is the ‘internal’ development by stepping out from difference, not understanding and conflicts of which are externally expressed in order to let every side understand and accept the difference as well as realize similarity to happily live together.                

Therefore, the study of Buddhist Dialogue to create unity between the temple and the Community yields the process of the listening according to Sammāditฺtฺhi.  It is the development of listening skill for continual wisdom to uplift the mind in accordance with Buddhism.  This will further bring happiness, tranquility, peace and unity towards community, society and country.  

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