Role of Phra Tepsudhi (Somkuan Piyasilo), the leader of sangha in fourteenth regional section and the abbot of wat Nimmanoradi with the development for Thai children and youth
Abstract:
The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the role of Phratepsuti toward the development of education for Thai children and youth and 2) to find out the results of development of education for Thai children and youth around Wat Nimmanoradi community. The qualitative methodology was employed in this study. The data were obtained from 13 key informants from the various groups of people who were monks, administrators, teachers, and pupils in Wat Nimmanoradi school, and the followers of Phratepsuti. The researcher used observation approaches, in-dept interview and documental study. The research tools were interview and observation forms. The collected data were analysed by content and inductive analysis. The findings were as follows: 1. Phratepsuti took his role to administer the facilities to be fundamental factors for Thai and youth such as educational fund, setting up the Thai children and youth center in Wat Nimmanoradi and meditation retreat center at Rajchaburi province. He administered education for the monks and novices called Free Education that integrated from the Buddhist doctrine concerning with threefold training, and sent the monks to teach the children in schools. 2. The result of Phratepsutis role in developing education was the way of educational development for Thai children and youth that focusing on helping or giving people in the community such as giving rice project. Then, the ordination was taken to raise up in high level of their minds. He also took care of the novices families with consumer products that was a morale gift for them. He used himself to be role model for the people in community and focused on co-operation with community, school, and government sector or agency to develop his works that Wat Nimmanoradi was used to be a center of helping. What he did became a holistic development and cause the temple becomes genuinely sanctuary or supporter for the people around Wat Nimmanoradi and others.