Guidelines for Developing English Skills for Buddhism Propagation of Vipassana Instructors

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were 1) to study the problems of using English for propagating Buddhism of Vipassana instructors; 2) to develop English skills for Buddhism propagation; and 3) to propose guidelines for developing English skills for propagating Buddhism of Vipassana instructors. Qualitative research was used to survey the problems of using English of Vipassana instructors from 100 Vipassana instructors under the Vipassanadhura Institute via Google Forms. The data were analyzed. Theoretical concepts and principles were studied for development. And an interview tool was created to interview 17 experts to find guidelines for developing English skills for propagating Buddhism of Vipassana instructors. The research results found that 1) the current state of using English among Vipassana instructors was at a level with significant problems and the greatest need for development, 2) the theoretical concepts for developing and learning English found that learning was sequential. Learners must learn content from easy to difficult, emphasizing that learners can actually practice and practice repeatedly by themselves until they were proficient, and 3) guidelines for developing English skills were 3.1) the Vipassana instructors’ original institution created motivation to develop English skills for propagating Buddhism, 3.2) the institute's training department promoted creative language activities that can be applied in practice, 3.3) the training department integrated learners to create new knowledge that was important for developing English skills, 3.4) the institute organized training via online systems, 3.5) the training department laid the foundation and created learning standards, 3.6) the training department developed media that can be accessed by Vipassana instructors anywhere, in any situation, and can be studied at all times.