THE GUIDELINES FOR PROMOTING BUDDHIST CULTURE IN THAILAND AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR

Abstract

This article titled ‘The Guidelines for Promoting Buddhist Culture in Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar’ consists of the following objectives: 1) to examine the Buddhist culture of Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; 2) to investigate the state of Buddhist culture in Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and 3) to propose guidelines for promoting Buddhist culture in Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Qualitative research method was applied for this research. Results of the research revealed as follows. 1) Buddhist culture of Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar included: Tai Yuan and Tai Khuen were the same lineage of ethnicities. They were in the same kingdom of Lanna in the past that was ruled in a monarchy. In their beliefs, they believed in superstition, mystical powers and Buddhism as a common belief. Even though the forms of government had changed, they still adhered to the same way of life, beliefs, and culture such as religious culture. They both shared Theravada Buddhism with the same Suan Dok and Pa Daeng sects. They had similar and common cultural arts such as architecture and sculptures that was influenced by artisanal Buddhism. 2) The state of Buddhist culture in Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar included religion and education by studying at least 2 languages i.e. a local language and official language. However, in Buddhist study, its popularity had been diminishing. They instead focused on economic study and others. Monks, as an exception, were still the crucial principle in psychosocial development and ethnic conservation. For Buddhist arts, there were still inheritance in several kinds of arts including architecture, sculpture and culture. This included materialistic culture that was apparently seen in forms of alphabets, speech, food, clothing, buildings, and spiritual culture for example religious moral code that enhanced moral spirit of the people in society to believe in merit, the Law of Karma, peace, hospitality and generosity. Regarding traditional cultures, they were well preserved even though some of them were diminished according to the modernity of new era. 3) Regarding the guidelines for promoting Buddhist culture in Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, there were recommendations as follows. Common academic and research should be promoted. There should also be academic exchange and cooperation that added the value of the Buddhist culture through cultural arts and ways of life as a crucial selling points of cultural tourism management and creative tourism. This could be guidelines for promoting and conserving Buddhist culture of the two countries that could help benefiting in economic and security as well.