THE APPLICATION OF VACHA SUTTA APPEARING IN SERMONS OF THAI MONKS

Abstract

The thesis titled “The Application of Vacha Sutta Appearing in Sermons of Thai Monks” included 3 objectives: 1) to study the concepts and theories about Vacha Sutta appearing in Theravada Buddhism; 2) to analyze the principles of Thai monks’ preaching; 3) to present the application approaches of Vacha Sutta of Thai monks’ preaching. It is a qualitative research. It was found that the concepts and theories about Vacha Sutta appearing in Theravada Buddhism were the verbal intention aiming at fivefold quality speeches including: being at right time; being truthful; being beautiful; being beneficial; being loving kindness; and being honest. Thai monks' sermons are currently classified into two types including: 1) Dhammawatra sermon; and 2) Dhamma Keita sermon through the method of procedural sermons by raising the main points, explaining and summarizing with impressive conclusion. When the application guidelines of Vacha Sutta in Thai monks' sermons were analyzed, it was found that it could be presented in 3 aspects including: 1) the principles that are correct in accordance with Vacha Sutta; 2) the forms that determine the contents of the sermon; 3) the methodology for the development of preachers and listeners to be personally and socially intelligent and peaceful.