Communication for Social Reconciliation in Buddhism

Abstract

This study has its aim to study 1) the theoretical concepts of the communication for social reconciliation in Buddhism (CSRB); 2) the problems
related to reconciliation communication;3) the model of CSRB. This research was conducted under the qualitative research methodology by
investigating the relevant documentary and conducting an in-depth interview. Its population and targeted group, recruited by Purposive
Sampling consisted of 32 key informants including Buddhist monks, academics or professionals, local administrative organization’s officers, and
community leaders or local scholars. The findings revealed that 1) theoretical concepts of CRB are considered as the communication under the
principles of consciousness, wisdom, carefulness, and other Buddhist principles to create the happiness of both message senders and receivers.
The problems of communication mainly are rooted in bias and a lack of reasoning. The indicators of CSRB consists of the Six States of
Conciliation (Sālāṇīyadhamma), the Four Bases of Social Solidarity (Saṅgahavatthu), and the Four States of Mind (Brahmavihāra); 2) problems
of reconciliation communication are caused by the following factors: the desire to influence each other; too many options available; desire to
alter others’ belief, emotion and behavior; inadequate communication skill; vague information; lack of universality; prejudice and environmental
barrier; 3) the model of CRB consisted of three major elements: (1) Buddhist communication which is the communication based on the
intellectual potential of the individual, communication-based on the principles of good friends, the truth and abstaining from untruthful speech,
pandit-hood, good conduct and so on; (2) the communication goal consisted of instructional goal and proper conducts; (3) the communication
process based on the Threefold Learning Principles (Trisikkha).