This research contains 3 objectives: 1) to study the Buddhist tourism Pattern, 2) to study the role of promotion and linkage of meditation practice network of the temple and 3) to analyze the role of promotion and the link of meditation practice of temple and its tourism network management. This was a qualitative survey by observing and interviewing 10 monks who live at tourist temple and then analyzing the data synthesized to illustrate the role model, linkage and network management. Its results were as follows:
Buddhist tourism model of temples in Thai society was divided into 2 types: 1) the temples which promote the Buddhist art works, merit performances, blessings that are organized in the physical environment both inside and outside according to each temple’s surroundings. There is using religious symbols and update communication that are easier to be understood, which is a very popular tourist site since past to present, 2) the temple that promotes meditation place which is well-known by both Thai and foreign tourists.
The role of temples that promote Buddhist arts revealed that they promote merit activities in auspicious days of Buddhism and nation, culture, traditions and the way of life in community. The said activities were done through mutual support of Sangha and community by which temple applies meditation and Vipassana practice in such activities in order to encourage tourists who were impressed in Buddhist arts having chance to learn Buddhist abstract teachings in depth at the same time. This is considered to create a link to direct their minds into meditation practice in temples that promote continuous practice of meditation.
Network management study results showed that the temple that has been continuously and rightly practiced seen as Dharma practice network throughout Thai society contains 2 levels of management: 1) the top level or the highest Buddhist administration organization of the Thai Sangha called Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand (SSC), with the committee of Buddhism propagation responsible for dharma practice. The committee raised various projects to promote, support and encourage the Dharma network to be unified and form of teaching standard of meditation practice for efficiency by using the correct teaching based on Mahāsatipaṭṭhānasutta found in Tripitaka as principal course. 2) operator level signifying an abbot, in charge who manages the temple for being proper and ready to develop Vipassana teachers to be expert in both of correct knowledge (Pariyatti) and moral qualifications (Patipatti). It includes administration system with effectiveness, transparency and produces Buddhist leaders in order to continue and spread Buddhism which in turn provides great benefits for practitioners, society and the world.
Although the results of the study found that most tourists who had appreciated the Buddhist arts and interested in further Dharma practice, are adults and seniors who participate ‘Dharma Tour’ activity, but only small number of youth were seen therefore the government agencies and Buddhist organizations should have given right understanding, promote and support tourism to develop the mind by allowing the youth to perform their leaderships and participate in Buddhist tourism activities as much as possible.
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