The Religion Educational Management for Buddhism Propagation in the Greater Mekong Subregion Counties

Abstract

The objectives of this research was to study the model of the Sangha educational management, compare the Sangha educational management and analyze the approach of Sangha educational management for Buddhism propagation in the Greater Mekong Subregion counties. This study was a qualitative research by using interview guideline, focus group discussion and non-participant observation in Phayao province in Thailand, Luang Prabang in Laos PDR. and Chiang-Tung in Myanmar. The research findings were as follows: 1) The model of Sangha educational management was (1) The specific Sangha educational management. There was the independent education separate from government education (2) The Sangha educational management according to the government education which is the Buddhist scripture education, general level. (3) The non-formal education is the specific learning activities to provide the Buddhism propagation to community.  2) The similarities of Sangha education is the Buddhist scripture education, Dhamma–Pali level which is the specific model of Sangha education. In Laos PDR. and Thailand have the Buddhist scripture education, Dhamma–Pali level and general level. The Sangha educational has managed and budget providing by the government. But in Chiang-Tung has only the Buddhist scripture education, Dhamma–Pali level and budget providing from Chiang-Tung Sangha and donation. 3) The approach of the Sangha educational management was (1) The philosophy and goal of educational management should follow the teaching philosophy of the Buddha (2) The curriculum and teaching content should set up the curriculum to match with the present situation by having the content of Dhammavinaya along with modern sciences (3) The teaching management methods was to support of the studying out of the class and manage the long distance education through the internet and manage the alternative education (4) The structured managerial administration to create the network of Dhamma educational management in the Greater Mekong Sub-region country focus on creation and development of knowledge content and (5) The Buddhism propagation have to relate the society change in the Greater Mekong Sub-region country through searching the cooperation with Dhamma school, Sangha university and other universities.