This research is aimed at 1.) studying the core teaching of the Buddha
in Tripitaka 2.) studying the Buddha’s strategic plan for social revolution
in Tripitaka and 3.) conclusion all directions and processes how to apply the
core teaching for solving the current social problem in the Thai society.
The mixed qualitative research methodology, documentary research
and specific research, has been conducted by collecting the information
through the documentary research and the in-depth interview of the key informants
with distinctive knowledge and experience in Buddhism.
The results found in this research are as followed. The core teaching
of the Buddha in Tripitaka was found. The analysis of the said finding
shows the vision and concept of the ideal society. The Buddha intended
to change the society to the ideal society. He initiated the vision for his
period of the propagation of Buddhism. The Buddha’s vision was the completion
of the four Buddhist assemblies: bhikkhu, bhikkhuni, upasaka (layman),
upasika (laywoman), being able to comprehend and practice the Buddha’s
teaching correctly and having the competency in protecting the Buddhism.
He formulated the strategic plan for social revolution according to his decided
vision. He highly focused on solving the social problem of the society:
the economical and political issues were not his main objective. The Buddha
could expanded his religious successfully by approaching to the influential
leaders of the various communities in that period of time including political,
economical, social, religious and belief aspects. Besides, he also used
the teaching tactics to make people understood the core teaching clearly.
The characteristic of the Buddha’s process of social revolution is similar to
the other social revolutions in some aspects such as the power centralization,
usurpation of authority. The Buddha had solved all occurred problems
himself through his executive, legislative and judicial power. He was a strategic
leader, but anyway from the analysis of his strategic plan implementation,
it is found that he managed plan and monitored the vision solely by him.
This plan and vision were not revealed to anybody through his life time
for the reason of security concerns. The Buddha did not promote anyone
to succeed his position. He requested all disciples to respect his doctrine
and discipline (dharmvinaya) as same as him, the founder of the religious
after he passed away (parinippana). This brought both good and bad
results. The good result was that his core teaching would not be altered by
any prophet. The bad was the lack of continuity in the strategic plan
implementation because no one knew the Buddha’s plan and vision.
Some important dimension of the core teaching would be ignored especially for
social aspects. It also caused the separation between the groups of disciples
after his passing away. The Buddha’s teaching existing in current Thai society
is not similar to the overview of the teaching found in this research since
there are some vanishing dimensions. It can be concluded that the Buddha’s
core teaching cannot play the leading role in solving social problem in current
Thai situation because of those reasons.
The result of the research could be applied for enhancing the method
for solving the social problem of the current Thai society. Concentration
on the reconstruction of the social structure like the Buddha did is proposed.
Bhikkhu sangha can be the main task force and play significant role.
The Buddha’s weakness in plan management should be considered.
Brain storming and creating the shared vision are also necessary. All mechanics
and tools have to be used in promoting the comprehension of the core
teaching and strategic plan of the Buddha’s. Since the ideal society is the
ultimate goal, the Buddha’s social revolution is still unfinished. The application
of this research result will be the succession of the Buddha’s plan and the
alternative way for solving social problems.
The recommendations for the relating research are as follows.
1.) The research in applying the core teaching for solving specific social
problem such as environmental problem, corruption. 2.) The research for
initiation the knowledge in specific good governance development such as
politics affairs, law and justice administration, and, 3.) The research in applying
the mechanics of the modern society such as the new social movement (NSM)
in order to enhance the use of the core teaching for social development