Abstract:
This research aims1) to study the models of Buddha-dhamma comn munication via the online social media of the monks in Thai society, 2) to study the procedures of the communication and 3) to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the said communication.
The communication of Buddhadhamma according to Buddhist principles is composed of: Teaching and explaining the highest principles of truth, namely, the Four Noble Truths, both on the levels of relative truth and absolute truth, to people who are capable of hearing and understanding the dhamma; Preventing errors and correcting misunderstanding, arising from the fact that Lord Buddha proclaimed the true dhamma, and guarded against incorrect or erroneous interpretation in his discourses; Asking people's opinion, in order to gain information about policies, objectives, administration and various work or activities, including daily movements, for monks and disciples.
The models of the Buddha-dhamma communication through the onlinesocial media of the monks in Thai society in forms of visual, and audio materials should be the Buddha-dhamma essentials which are correct, favorable, up to date, beneficial, easy to understand with suitable presentation for the receivers. The dhamma messengers should have good knowledge, and be skillful in disseminating the Buddha teachings. The presentation models should be interconnected with the Buddha-dhamma communicative procedures with clear and outstanding intention and pleasure including the true Buddha-dhamma contents.
The strengths of the Buddha-dhamma on line communicative procedures of the monks in Thai society are beneficial in terms of disseminating the presented issues world wide which are better than organizing the seminars with the specific topics in a certain places as usual. In contrast, if these have been conducted as in some social media, e.g. Facebook, Youtube, or Websites, the presented issues will spread worldwide and those interested can join these programmes by asking questions or giving ideas or opinions or voicing concerns over those issues. However,
some weaknesses still exist in forms of without real life programmes or face-to-face discussions which can cause stronger momentum than those of social media and get more benefits. Besides, these benefits will not be for those who are not interested in what presented except for only those interested. These are the weaknesses of using only the social media which are very far away from the transmitters who do not know the number of the receivers and those who are listening at that moment. If the presenters at that time notice what are going on, they can motivate and persuade the listeners to accept what they hear because they see and hear by their very own eyes and ears, thus high momentum exist, although, the number of listeners are less than those of the social media.