BUDDHA NATURE IN MAHAYANA BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES AND PERCEPTION OF CHINESE ORDER OF SANGHA IN THAILAND IN ORDER TO PROMOTE HUMAN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract

           This research has 3 main objectives: 1) to study Buddha nature from Mahayana Buddhist scriptures in issues of faithfulness, education, and practice 2) to study Buddha nature from knowledges and comprehension of monks in Chinese Order of Sangha based on issues of faithfulness, education, and practice 3) to study Buddha nature in the contexts of human and social development from knowledges and comprehension of monks in Chinese Order of Sangha. The research was conducted by two main methodologies: documentary research and field research. Firstly, the study aimed to find out concepts and components of the Buddha nature from various Buddhist scriptures: Taisho Shinshu Tripitaka (《大正新脩大藏經》), Heart Sutra, Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra, and Lotus Sutra. Secondly, the field research applied the qualitative research method of in-depth interview to collect data from key informants: hierarchical monks in Chinese Order of Sangha in Thailand. The data were analyzed by using content analysis.  

          This research finds that the connections between knowledges of the Buddha nature in Tripitaka as well as Buddhist scriptures and the monks’ comprehension of the Buddha nature based on the Buddha teachings in Chinese Order of Sangha in Thailand at present can be applied to promote human and social development, particularly on the significance of people’s mind development in accordance with the natural truth. Human development find that self-development is self-contemplation and that all human defilements can be removed from the mind. This process can support mind development to be ready for helping other people. In the contexts of social development, when people can develop their mind and access the Buddha nature, they will do good things and actions in every time and chance. This process can be practiced for all nations and religions without any restriction, as well as can promote social actions for global peace of all well-beings without discomposure both inside and outside mind.