Abstract:
This thesis is qualitative research . Interview, observation and participating observation were used in collecting data. University students of the four faculties at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya, university meditation masters and both lay and monk lectures who organized the programme during meditation retreat were the target group of this research. The research revealed that the process of Vipassana meditation practice for the university students was in line with the Tipitaka which focuses on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The Sutta of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness is divided into four sections: body, feeling, mind and Dhamma which can be
intespre ted as Rupa (body) and Nama (mind). It contemplates the rising and falling of the abdomen and contemplates the actual movements of the body: standing, walking, sitting and laying. When any feeling or thought appears, that feeling or thought should be contemplate. Factors and conditions in meditation practice were facilities such as building, toilet, area for setting meditation camps period of time, good friends, meditation masters knowledge and university students' understanding of meditation practice, and university lecturers and personnel who took care of and managed the programme. However, it was found that the fourth year university students got good results from meditation practice, followed by the third year university students, the second year university students and the first year university students in turn. It was also found that the first year university students might get better result from meditation practice than other senior university students. This is because they have practiced meditation before. Problems and obstacles to meditation practice were place, university personnel, and some meditation masters lack of meditation experience.
This research Suggests from that the university students should he studed one month before and after meditation retreat the purpose of knowing the development and the change of behavior as they are living in temple or society and knowing the application of meditation practice to their daily life."