The Role of Buddhism in Rural Development of Thailand : Some Performances and Outcomes.

Abstract

The performances of the selected famous abbots (46 monks in Northeastern and Northern provinces) mostly concerned on : (1) Spiritual development for diligence, cooperation, saving, and preventing from alcohol and gambling, (2) Buddhist Sunday School for youth and others, (3) Occupational development such as a stimulator for agricultural demonstration, and other occupational training programmes, (4) Social services and welfare projects, (5) Stimulator for creating community fund, etc. The outcomes of their performances showed some significant changes in quality of life and some trends for increasing the income of the target persons. It was found that (1) There were not significant different among the opinion of the 3 sample groups in understanding of Buddhism philosophy, (2) There was significant difference between the opinion scores on the actual role of “the Sangha” of the abbots (N=46) and the government official; head of the provincial levels in Community Development Dept. and Ag. Extension Dept. (N=88), (3) There was not significant differences between the opinion scores for the expected role of these two sample groups.