Abstract:
In this research, three objectives were purposely made: 1) to study the states of problem and obstacle in the propagation of Buddhism of Thai Buddhist missionary monks in Texas Dhammakaya Temple, United States of America, 2) to study the ideas and theories in the propagation of Buddhism, and 3) to propose the guidelines in the propagation of Buddhism of Thai Buddhist missionary monks in Texas Dhammakaya Temple, United States of America. This research employed the qualitative research methodology done by field research where in-depth interview of 25 key informants was conducted and then contents analysis was also made through description.
In the research, it was considerably found that as far as the problems and obstacles in the propagation of Buddhism challenged by Thai Buddhist missionary monks in Texas Dhammakaya Temple, United States of America are concerned, they are of the following ones: population, religious personnel, techniques on the dissemination of Buddhism, methods and formations, and supportive budget. In this matter, upskilling through self-education is necessitated as the solution to the mentioned problems could be effectively yielded by missionaries themselves where the unexpected problems would be caused while carrying out the assigned duty. In dealing with this situation, it becomes extremely necessary for missionaries to analyze the strong, weak points including opportunity and obstacle in order to find out problems, causes and factors and thereby determining certain strategy on the dissemination of Buddhism relating to planning, organizing the suitable organization, commanding, coordinating, controlling that would give rise to the effective propagation of Buddhism carried out by missionaries in the working area.
As regards guidelines on the dissemination of Buddhism, they are of the following ones: 1) methods in disseminating Buddhism should be done through persons that cover all groups of people involved both Buddhist Sangha and laity where selection of Buddhist missionaries should be strictly and carefully made and the education of Buddhist missionaries should be actively encouraged by pointing to the effective processes of the required management, 2) methods in dissemination of Buddhism should be done through religious objects and places or symbols whereby strong faith of both Thais and foreigners should be kept in order to provide the open dissemination of Buddhism, 3) methods in dissemination of Buddhism should be actively done through media and technology where the development of such technology in support of the propagation including reforming of the main ideas and formations of dissemination should be diversified, 4) methods in dissemination of Buddhism should be integratedly done through the social changes which could encourage the feelings of harmony and relation among Texas community and Buddhist missionaries by means of the application of Buddhist principles concerning with the processes of dissemination of Buddhism to the real systematic practices, three kinds of principle, four kinds of ideology, and six kinds of method. All of them are considered to be crux of Buddhism that Buddhist missionaries could be put into action so as to fix the objectives, principles and methods in arriving at Buddhism. Consequently, the body of knowledge could be expected and applied to the dissemination of Buddhism where Buddhist followers find the inspiration, faith and confidence in living life according to the Buddhist principles respectively.