Abstract

The objectives of this research are 1) to study opinions of monks and novices towards studying  Dharma in Pali in Ubonratchathani Province 2) to study problems and obstacles of teaching and learning Dharma in Pali in the province. The methodology used in this research is the questionnaire gathering information from sampling groups including 400 monks and novices studying at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya  University, Ubonratchathani Campus and the Dharma in Pali Schools. The sampling group of 150 is specified by Krejcie and Morgan table. The tools used for collecting data are the questionnaires for monks and novices studying Dharma in Pali in the province which is divided into 3 sections : Section I. General Information of Respondents; Section II. Opinion of Respondents on studying Dharma in Pali in the province. This section is designed in weighting scale of 5 levels; Section III. Open-Ended Questionnaire on opinions of respondents on problems and obstacles in studying Dharma in Pali in the province. The data is analyzed by software packaged program for social science research. Statistics used on data analysis are frequency distribution in percentage, mean, and standard deviation

             Research Findings

1) Satisfaction level of monks and novices studying Dharma in Pali in all 3 areas of sections 2 of the research is averagely low. However, if each section is taken to consideration, the highest score is in the area of school management

2) Monks and novices studying Dharma in Pali in the province have expressed problems, obstacles and needs of their study as the following : 1) Pali teaching and Pali teachers  are necessary in all Dharma schools;   2) Supplementary Pali teaching outside classroom should be promoted; 3) More information technology, media and program on teaching Pali for understanding and reciting  should be provided to learners specially monks and novices; 4) Laymen as Pali teachers should properly behave and respect monks and novices as symbols of Buddhism