Abstract

The objectives of this dissertation are:- 1) to study the Buddha’s methods  of teaching the Buddhist doctrines and the scientific method, 2) to study the          Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s methods of teaching Buddha Dhamma, and 3) to present the model of the Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s method of teaching Buddha Dhamma according to scientific principles.

             From the study, it is found that the Buddha’s teaching methods is        corresponding to the scientific principles.  As the results, the principles of this   method are developing the knowledge or intellectual by the learner themselves via their experiences, and facilitating the benefits to the learners.  The Buddha’s    teaching methods are the systematic procedures by using various methods such as lecture, discussion, establishing regulations, and experimentation.  The aim of the teachings is to quench all the Dhukkā or Nibbanā.

             The Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s teaching methods has the same principles as the ones of the Buddha’s teaching methods; that is, a rationality, an empirical proof by five senses, and an applying “scientific method”.  Those are namely, the teaching of the abstract content to be comprehensible as the substantial, the teaching some complex issues to be simple by explanation for realizing mentally, and the teaching by the practice of mental development as the scientific experiment.  The targets of this teaching methods accord to Nibbanā and Here-and-Now Nibbanā.  Buddhadāsa Bikkhu uses the Dhamma principles for Buddhadhamma explanation such as       “Ariyasaccas”, “8-Dhamma Characters”, and “Paṭiccasamuppāda”.  The various   patterns of the Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s teaching methods is employed, such as lecture, discussion, seminar, demonstration, Dhamma writings, poem composition, artistic works, and performing as an idol.  

In this study, the model of the Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s method of teaching Buddha Dhamma according to scientific principles is presented.  The model is    composed of five stages: 1) specify the subject and rationales 2) inspire the learning, 3) explain by summary and details, 4) instruct the laboratory, and 5)    evaluate and   conclude.  This model can be showed in brief as “SIELEC”. 

             Some factors influencing the Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s teaching methods are found namely, the Buddha’s teaching methods, Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s habits of  learning in scientific way by learning from nature, and an advance in science and technology.

             The ways of Buddhist studies as Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s concepts are      proposed as the sequential study:- 1) being mindfulness while the sense-impression (Phassa), called “spiritual moment Paṭiccasamuppāda”, 2) studying the Buddhist doctrines as the principles for the practices such as the elements (Dhātu), five      aggregates (Panca-khandhās), six sense-fields (Āyatanas), 3) memorizing major Dhamma principles for the practicing’, and 4) practicing Ãnāpānasati Bhāvanā in   order to achieve the insight on “Dhukka and its quenching”, “the Dhamma 9 eyes”, the “Three Gems” in the “Dhamma language”.

In this study, the concept in the synthesis of a new scientific method of teaching Buddhadhamma is proposed.  This is based on the principles and the    procedures of Buddhadāsa Bikkhu’s scientific teaching methods combined with the creator’s talent or unique capability.  The method of scientific teaching Buddha Dhamma, created by the researcher, entitled of “Paṭiccasamuppāda for a Practice by Self-Correspondence Poem”, is presented.

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