Role of Monk in Local Development in Education and Culture: A Case Study of Phra Kru Soonthorn Panyawimon

Abstract

         This research aimed to: 1) study the role of monk, Phra Kru Soonthorn Panyawimon, in local development in education and culture, 2) analyze the role of Phra Kru Soonthorn Panyawimon in local development in education and culture, and 3) propose the recommendations of the role of Phra Kru Soonthorn Panyawimon in local development in education and culture. This research was a qualitative research using the in-depth interview technique for data collection. The group of 10 key informants were 1 monk, 3 village headmen, 3 residents of Tak-Dad Village, 1 Viya Wachakorn (Temple Secretary) and 2 village scholars. The interviewees were purposively sampled and the collected data were analyzed using Analytical Description. The research results were found as the followings.

          1)  The role of Phra Kru Soonthorn Panyawimon in local development in education and culture found that he is a monk developer in education and culture and can be a role model for people in the community. 2) The analysis of the role of Phra Kru Soonthorn Panyawimon in local development in education and culture found that the monk developer must have good characteristics, knowledge and abilities to support and encourage people in the area to participate in local development. And, 3) the recommendations of the role of Phra Kru Soonthorn Panyawimon in local development in education and culture found that monks should be the role model in good morality for instilling the faith to local people, and they must develop themselves to be omniscient in order to keep up with the social dynamics changes, thus can affect the potential in educational development.