A SYNTHESIS OF RESEARCH ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF BUDDHIST RESEARCH IN ASEAN COMMUNITIES

Abstract

State of the art research was the method of conducting research synthesis by using Meta-ethnography and the area related to the advancement of Buddhist research in ASEAN community. The objective of this research article was to synthesize 24 research reports in Buddhism which conducted in the project of ASEAN Studies Centre at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand. Three major strategies were used for synthesizing and focused on creating metaphors which consisted of reciprocal translations, refutational syntheses, and lines-of-argument syntheses. The results indicated that three main research problem were developed which composed of living in a multicultural society, having intra-religious relation, and influencing of social and cultural leader towards ASEAN people. There were 12 research reports focusing on the topic intra-religious relation which related to Buddhist way, 7 were conducted on living in multicultural society and 5 were conducted on influencing of social and cultural leader towards ASEAN people. Qualitative research design was used for all research reports and analyzed by integrating with Buddhist principles and the pillar of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Research utilization and suggestion were also added at the end of each research report.