A Buddhist Sangha’s Dissemination of Buddha dhamma Through Social Online Media for the Rehabilitation of Youths in Thai Society

Abstract

Communication is considered an important component of human life, including youth in contemporary society. When society moves into the digital era, communication patterns have continuously changed in accordance with technological advancement. Online communication has therefore become an important tool that monks can utilize to disseminate Buddhism and convey Buddhist principles to youth in order to restore their minds, strengthen moral integrity, and promote appropriate living in accordance with Buddhist teachings. The dissemination of Buddhist teachings through social media is regarded as an important mission of monks as the successors of Buddhism, who must aim to provide correct knowledge, understanding, and proper practices to youth under the framework of morality, ethics, and social responsibility. This can be carried out through various digital media channels such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and websites by using multimedia formats including images, videos, live broadcasting, and answering Dhamma-related questions in order to stimulate learning, create inspiration, and encourage youth to refrain from wrongdoing and turn to practicing according to the Dhamma principles.

Therefore, the use of online media in disseminating Buddhism requires communicators who possess qualifications based on Buddhist principles, along with knowledge, understanding, and appropriate communication skills, so that the dissemination can benefit the public and play an important role in the development and sustainable restoration of youth in Thai society.