THE DEVELOPMENT OF MONASTIC EDUCATION IN THAI PHRA PARIYATTI DHAMMA SCHOOLS GENERAL EDUCATION SECTION

Abstract

This academic article aims to analyze the evolution and pedagogical approaches of Thai monastic education within Phra Pariyatti Dhamma Schools, General Education Section. The study finds that the system is fundamentally rooted in the Sikkhattaya framework—Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom—which distinguishes between Ganthadhura (scriptural study) and Vipassanadhura (meditation practice). Monastic education has progressively adapted to social transformations from the Sukhothai period through the major reforms in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, laying the foundation for modern Buddhist universities. In the digital era, these schools encounter significant challenges in maintaining monastic identity while aligning with global academic standards. This paper proposes strategic guidelines emphasizing community collaboration, the empowerment of teachers with 21st-century skills, and the integration of information technology to facilitate learner-centered environments. Such developments are essential to equipping monastic successors with the capacity to conduct themselves and propagate Buddhism effectively and sustainably within contemporary society.