Preface

In the present dissertation titled “A Critical Study on Buddhist Education In Thailand”. The researcher has made a humble attempt as presenting an analysis of the Buddha’s lifetime cited in the Buddhist scripture known as Tipitaka. The study aims to point out the correct way according to Buddhist Education. As we have known, The Importance of Education in Theravada Buddhism has become a major concern of human beings in every corner of the world. The researcher has tried to study Buddhist teachings clearly and deeply, and then presented the Buddha’s doctrine as a model leading to the way of Buddhist Education in Thailand. The highlight of Buddhist vision is on education, Buddha’s teachings, Buddhist teachings for society and the role of Buddhist monks as well as to make some suggestions on the basis Buddhistoriented mind and scientific thinking to cover the entire urban and rural population of Thailand along with tools and techniques to achieve peace, satisfaction and harmony.

The ultimate goal of Buddhist education is to destroy ignorance, the root cause of suffering. Specially, education in a Buddhist sense should seek to eliminate from the students’ mind a variety of wrong views, which from the theoretical basis of ignorance. These purely conceptual contents of the mind comprise the so-called “imputed ignorance”(parikalpita-avidya), as opposed to the “innate ignorance” (sahaja-avidya). It is “conceptual” or “acquired” ignorance. Innate ignorance cannot be accessed until there is conceptual ignorance (or misconceptions), so first one has to eliminate the “imputed” ignorance, i.e. wrong views. The modern system of modern education obviously implies belief in a concrete and permanent self, which can become ‘better’ (more knowledgeable, educated etc.) and happier through education.

This is a documentary research, so the research method has been done in two ways, namely:-

(1) To study from the primary sources in Tipitaka such as Vinaya Pitaka, Digha Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, Abhidhamma Pitaka, Visuddhimaggha, and so on.

(2) To study and investigate from the secondary sources related to research work such as books, journals, and newspaper, including credible and up-to-date information on websites.

From the two research methods mentioned above, the researcher has received a lot of useful knowledge, as well as gain up-to-date information so that the study has been completed successfully. The main purposes of the thesis are as follows:-

(1) To study the history of Definition, Types, Scope, Combination of Education in Buddhist scripture known as Tipitaka.

(2) To study the historical background of Buddhist Education as depicted in the Canonical and Non-Canonical Texts in Theravada Buddhism.

(3) To study deeply and clearly the Buddhist doctrine and how to apply it in the Buddhist Education and Practice of the Lay Buddhists.

(4)To study and analyses the Education of Thai Buddhist Sangha and the Fundamental Mission of Buddhism in Thailand.

(5) To study The Importance of Buddhist Education in the Modern Buddhism and the relevance of Buddhism as a Global Religion.

The thesis is divided into five chapters. They are as follows:-

The first chapter is the ‘Introduction’. It deals with the fundamental statement of the study, the historical background of Buddhism, the fundamental missions of Buddhism, the Definition, the Advantages of Cultivation and Combination, in categories of Buddhist Education, and the Importance of Buddhist Education in the Modern Buddhism.

The second chapter is titled ‘The Thai Sangha System of Education’. This chapter has been devoted to Gospel of Thai’s Sangha Buddhist Education System. In this chapter, the historical background of Thai’s Sangha Buddhist Education System and the problem of inequality in education and the Buddhist institution in Thailand society are dealt with.

The third chapter is ‘The Impact of Buddhist Education on the Thai Sangha’. It studies the monastic theme education, teaching and learning and educational approached are mentioned.

The fourth chapter is ‘Role of the Buddhist Education in the Thai Society’. This chapter is devoted on Buddhist Education for society. In this chapter, evolution of Buddhist Educational approach in Thai society and the role of Institutions and organization in Thai society it has been mentioned. And most important role of monks in education system is dealt with.

The final chapter is ‘Conclusion’. It summarizes all the study from the first chapter to the fifth chapter, including the results of study.

(Smitthai Aphiwatamonkul)
Ph.D. (Arts)

Date:…………….
Department of Pali
University of Calcutta
87/1 College Street Kolkata 700 073