Strategic System for Propagating Buddhism Among Monks at Thai Temples in Germany

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the Buddhist propagation strategy system in Germany 2) develop the Buddhist propagation strategy system in Germany and 3) test and evaluate or certify the quality of the development of the Buddhist propagation strategy system by qualified persons in Germany and 4) to propose a strategic approach for propagating Buddhism among Thai monks in Germany as a research and development project. The sample group of key informants was 10 Thai monks who were missionaries in Germany and 5 Buddhist experts, totaling 15 monks/persons. The research method was purposive sampling. The research instrument was a structured interview with key informants. Qualitative data were analyzed by document analysis, content analysis, and focus group discussions.The research results found that 1. The strategic system for propagating Buddhism among Thai monks in Germany has 5 components: 1) Control, 2) Input, 3) Buddhism propagation process, 4) Output, and 5) Feedback. 2. Developing a strategic system for propagating Buddhism among Thai monks in Germany will require determining the content of the sermons to be given, using Buddhist principles as a strategic system, including: 1) Satipatthana principles, 2) Anapanasati principles, 3) Bhavana principles, and 4) Tri-sikkha principles. 3. Testing and evaluation or certification of quality from qualified persons of the development of a strategic system for propagating Buddhism among Thai monks in Germany found that overall, all aspects are at the highest level. 4. Strategic system approach for propagation: Knowledge/findings from this research, namely the ‘Strategic System for Propagation of Buddhism’: SASBAS System, will be useful and can be applied to Thai temples in other states of Germany.