A Study of the Dhamma Explanation of Phra Thepvoramuni (Samli Paññāvaro) Affecting the People Lives in Buddhist Communities in That Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom Province

Abstract

The aims of this research were: 1)to study the life and work of Phra Thepvoramuni (Samli Paññāvaro); 2) to study his explanation of the dhamma; 3) to study his explanation of the dhamma principles affecting the lifestyle of the Buddhist community in That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province. This study was carried out by means of a qualitative research methodology in collecting data from documents and interviews.
The research results are as follows: Phra Thepvoramuni is a monk that people respect and believe in. He is a thought leader that has the knowledge and ability to explain the Dhamma principles to people well, has made contributions that are beneficial to society in terms of governance, religion, educational aid, public assistance and religious propagation. He is a Buddhist monk who has beautiful manners that are calm, peaceful and generous.
Phra Thepvoramuni is a person who is knowledgeable and capable of explaining the Dhammas according to four strategies: 1) clarity; 2) motivation; 3) courage; 4) cheerfulness. He will raise a Buddhist proverb, personification and analogy to be explained in the form of a lecture, a Dhamma talk, and discourse or in the form of a book with poems, words, ‘Phaya’, ‘Sora-Panya’ and quotes as inserted for making his Dhamma explanation to be interesting.
Explanation of Dhamma of Phra Thepvoramuni has influenced Buddhists in five aspects: 1) Quality of life, their lives have changed in a positive direction, both physically and mentally; 2) Society, Buddhists have generosity, love towards each other and unity; 3) Economy, people understand saving and spending money consciously; 4) Ethics, people have good behavior, do not physically, vocally and mentally encroach others; 5) Faith in Buddhism, their faith in Buddhism is stable.