ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study are to analytically study the message, the form of communication leading to social change in the Tipiṭaka and to analytically study the change of society from the communication appearing in the Tipiṭaka. The way to the analysis in this research emphasize  the two components of communication which concern the receiver, the objective and the context of communication. These components are the message, the channel and the way of communication.

From the study, it is found that the communication leading to social change in the Buddha’s period which appearance in the Tipiṭaka started from the Buddha’s compassion to communicate. As the Buddha’s communication lead to the upstream of human defilements (Kilesa) which means that the Buddha’s communication cause the change at the individual and the social levels. There are many types of individual changes, namely :- the one in qualitative personal status, the aim of life, the way of thinking and way of life. In social change, the several changes are concerning the social status, the social relation, the social pattern of performance, the learning approach and the administration.

All of those arisen changes are the results of communication with key persons who effect the social change ; they are the communication receivers who have potentiality to attain the Dhamma, and the rulers as well as the chief disciples of other creeds and those who follow by general social customs and performance spreading at that time. Moreover, the exchange of ideas has the manifest objective that is the benefit in Buddhism. That benefit is separable to the one gain in this life, the one to be gained in the next life, the one which is the supreme benefit for oneself, and for others and the benefits for both oneself and others. The recievers of the message have to progress in their wisdom to obtain those benefits. Furthermore, all aspects of that communication are appropriate for the social and cultural context, the situation that takes place and the regime at that time.