Thesis Title : The development Model for Management and Meditation Teaching of Buddhist Leaders in England Researcher : Phrakru Sriratanadhammavides (Paganon Pilapan) Degree : Doctor of Philosophy (Buddhist leadership) Thesis Supervisory Committee : : Asst.Prof. Dr. Surapon Suyaprom, B.A., M.A.,Ph.D. (Pol.Sc) : Assoc.ProF.Dr. Aphinant Chantanee Date of Graduation : March 15, 2014 Abstract The purpose of this research is: (1) to study the general barriers to the development and management of teaching meditation by Buddhist leaders in England, (2) to study the management of teaching meditation by Buddhist leaders in England, (3) to offer an improved model of teaching of Buddhist meditation in England. The participants in this research were from the Buddhapadipa Temple in London, the Amaravati Temple in Hampstead, the Buddhavihara in Oxford and the Temple, in Birmingham, Derbyshire and Manchester. 240 individuals were involved, chosen by opportunistic sampling. The instrument used to collect the data was divided into 3 sections: 1. Demographic questions concerning the status of individual respondents. 2. Questions, using an ordered set of closed responses, to statements concerning the: (a) management of meditation teaching, (b) characteristics of meditation centres, (c) Characteristics of meditation teachers. 3: Questions, using open responses, concerning any problems they perceive with the: (a) Management of meditation teaching, (b) characteristics of meditation centres, (c) Characteristics of meditation teachers. The statistics used in data analysis used the SPSS program from Social Science Research, using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation (S.D.). In addition, observation of meditation management and practice was undertaken for 30 days, as well as interviews with critical informants, who comprised 18 people (key informants). The results showed that the: Effectiveness of the management of teaching meditation by Buddhist leaders in England depends upon three aspects: (a) meditation management, (b) the nature of the meditation centre or temple, and (c) the lecturer. The majority of respondents felt that the current model of meditation management is broadly satisfactory, however, many respondents outlined problems and suggested solutions. Many personal factors of participants were considered: for example gender, religion, race, age and education. Although there were different opinions on the management of teaching meditation, there were not significant differences. Problems related to the management of teaching meditation in England can be summarized as follows: Meditation management There is a lack of publicity about the availability of meditation teaching. Nature of the meditation centre or temple 1. Administrators do not have enough practitioners to teach meditation 2. Buildings are inadequate as: (a) there is a lack of parking, (b) there is inadequate accommodation for (visiting) practitioners, (c) the meditation or chanting room is not big enough for meditators, (d) there are inadequate toilet and heating facilities, (e) the audio facilities (microphones, loudspeakers) are inadequate. Suggestions about the development of the management of teaching meditation in England can be summarized as follows: • Temple or Centre managers should appoint one meditation leader to be solely responsible for looking after all aspects of meditation teaching, including practical aspects, and should improve publicity about the meditation teaching, • The meditation leader should provide expert insight into meditation and possess language skills. They should plan scheduled meditation practice sessions and ensure that not too much or too little should be communicated in each session. Beginners and advanced classes should be clearly separated. • The meditation leader should plan sessions for monks who wish to become meditation leaders, including English training and visits to England. • In the premises, parking and heating should be adequate and bathrooms should be kept clean constantly. • Adequate walking meditation teachers and trainers from the field should be included as well as visiting speakers volunteering to help in meditation training. They should guide the teaching of meditation.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:30:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015