The Buddhist Hour Radio Broadcast Archives

Buddhist Hour
Radio Broadcast on Hillside 88.0 FM
Broadcast 301 for Sunday 2 November 2003

This script is entitled:

The heart of a global network of Buddhist Scholars:
The World Buddhist University

In the late 19th Century Lord Colleridge spoke of the greatness of the university in the following manner, 'I speak not of this college or of that, but of the University as a whole; and gentlemen, what a whole Oxford is.

'T.H.Huxley once wrote of the University in Germany as 'the most intensely cultivated and the most productive intellectual corporations the world has ever seen.'

In 1998 at the bi-annual conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held at the Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong New South Wales, Australia, the Charter of the World Buddhist University was adopted.

Like the United Nations University, The World Buddhist University has no enrollments and issues no degrees.

It is a global network of Buddhist Scholars, A University from which persons can seek global information on Buddha Dhamma.

In 2002 our Centre, the Chan Academy Australia, a Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists was certified as a duly admitted Associated Institution of The World Buddhist University and entitled to all the rights and privileges of such associated institutions. The Certification was signed and duly authorised by the Chairman Dr. Ananda W.P. Guruge and the Rector Noranit Setabutr on 9 February B.E. 2545 (2002).

At the Third Meeting of the World Buddhist University Council held on 9 February 2002 and the International Conference on "Buddhism and World Peace" Maxx Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, Dr. Guruge responded to the question of "What is the World Buddhist University?" in the following way.

The World Buddhist University does not issue degrees and has no actual training or teaching. It is a coordinator of data and is an information warehouse. All forms of Buddha Dhamma are accepted at the World Buddhist University.

The World Buddhist University is a storehouse of all Buddhist Curricular for other institutions and let it be a vast database of every kind of Buddhism.

Today's program is an edited transcription of an interview with Dr. Duangsamosorn who first conceived the idea to set up the World Buddhist University.

Dr. Somboon Duangsamosorn is a scholar and teacher and has recently been appointed Director of the Information and Cultural Exchange Centre at the World Buddhist University in Bangkok Thailand.

On 22 September Chan Academy Australia Member Pennie White, Vice-president International Dhamma Activities traveled to Bangkok Thailand to visit the World Buddhist University.

Pennie is currently studying for her Masters Degree in Education (Information and Communication Technology) at Monash University. Part of her work is research into “The use of Information and Communications Technology by the World Buddhist University”.

The World Buddhist University Centre is in Bangkok, Thailand. It was founded in 1998 and now has ten Associated Institutions.

The University's Acting Rector Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab requested that the following interview recorded during Pennie's visit be transcribed for publication.

Dr. Somboon Duangsamosorn was interviewed by Pennie White during her visit to Bangkok.

Dr Duangsamosorn began by commenting 'I am delighted to be interviewed by you as I do appreciate your efforts to a make a Masters program in this field of study of Education and it will be very helpful to many other students particularly not only in Australia of course but also Thailand in the near future.”

“Now will you please start with your first topic or question of your interview?”

‘How are you associated with the World Buddhist University?”

“That is a good question. It happened in 1984 when I went to study in India after the final examination. While waiting for the result I had nothing to do so therefore I thought of setting up the World Buddhist University."

"I worked it out with the assistance of some Monks and later on you see the whole project was brought to be kept at the secretariat of His Holiness The Supreme Patriarch. The present one, but it had been forgotten for quite some time and then until the General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh became the Prime Minister and they thought of celebrating the 90th anniversary of His Holiness The Supreme Patriarch. He will turn 90 on October the 3rd, next month, this year.”

“They thought of setting up a World Buddhist University and then they went to look for this program in a pile and fortunately they got it and then they gave it to Dr. Nantasarn [Seesalab] our Acting Rector now, to think about it.”

“One day we happened coincidentally to meet at the Parliament he went there and I was also there as their advisor to the Committee on Religion, Art and Culture the House of Representatives.”

“In fact we have know each other for quite some time but we had not been acquainted with each other and he started to talk about this. I said, ‘Ah this is the program I initiated it in India in 1984’. He said, ‘Oh, now I have come to the right person’ and since then it started.”

“The Prime Minister also appointed a committee there were many people involved in the organisation to set up this World Buddhist University."

In answer to the question What Information and Communication Technologies do you use?”Dr Duangsamosorn commented:


“At the beginning you see at that time modern technology or the IT system did not yet exist but later on yes of course we have to use this very, very, very much. I mean we have to use the IT, we have to use the Internet, we have to use the Computer and everything whatever is available in the context of mass media.”

He commented they use the Internet, eternal email, scanners quite often, digital cameras computers, of course, computer network, internal email, cd-burners, video camera, audio, telephone, mail, fax…"all these I use and have been used”.

“Let me say that mass media technology has been exploited by our University in order to make ourselves know to the whole world about what we are doing and so on and so forth.

What will be benefited are people in the whole world who will come into contact with the World Buddhist University located in Thailand.

Now I should like to tell you briefly how it happened. You see at first I was invited to come here to talk about it at the meeting held by EXCO. (Executive Committee of the World Fellowship of Buddhists) I gave a talk that lasted for about twelve minutes to fourteen minutes so I gave a clear picture.

In Thailand there are more than 30,000 Buddhist Temples. There are about 400,000 Buddhist Monks and novices. The constitution of Thailand is committing so to say everybody to be free to profess any religion of their choice so in that case the Thai people opted to make Buddhism as their National Religion that happened a long time back.

Then the most important point I talked to committee meeting that up to now we have had up to the present monarch 52 kings since the Sukhothai period which was founded in the year 1238 and then Sukhothai which was the first kingdom and also the capital city of Thailand lasted for about 251 years or something like that as we are not really sure however and it was and it was ruled by nine kings who belonged to the same dynasty.

Later on Ayutthaya that was the second capital city ruled by the 33 kings of 5 dynasties and it lated for 417 years exactly and then Thonburi came.

Thonburi which was the third capital city and also the third kingdom was ruled by King Tak Sin the Great and lasted for only fifteen years.

Early Bangkok period was ruled by six kings, but other wise they take it as three kinds King Rama the 1st, King Rama the 2nd, King Rama the 3rd. Then it was continued until King Rama VII then there was the change in the political system from absolute monarchy but that was not in Sukhothai period.

In Sukhothai period the system was Paternalism. In Anyutthaya period for 417 years the system was absolute monarchy and in Thonburi period also absolute monarchy and early Bangkok Period absolute monarchy until the reign of Rama the 7th then the system was changed to democray.

It took place on June the 24th 1932. Then the political system was changed to what we have today the democratic political system.

The most important point I raised that day was all the 52 kings have been Buddhist.

Then the committee decided that I should be the one who should go and present this idea at the World Fellowship of Buddhist Conference and NanTien at Woolongong, New South Wales, Australia.

For this I was invited by Dr Nantasarn who at that time was the Secretary General of the World Fellowship of Buddhists.

So I went their to talk for about fifteen minutes. In fact, there were some other countries who also would want to contest in order to have the opportunity to set up this Univesity in their countries.

So I was lucky to pick this up number one, first speaker and I had spoken with Audio Visual Aid.

The picture of a Buddhist Centre being shown on the television set in the hall and when I had finished by presentation then you see there was a big applause loud and long.

Then the other four contestants said, ‘Ok, you are the winner. We do not want to contest’. That was why Thailand was given unanimously by Members who were in the auudience that day.

From 37 countries Thailand was awarded this credit honour to set up The World Buddhist University and the World Buddhist University according to the charter was worked out this way.

There were two phases. Phase One would be the period during which we would construct ourselves regarding the curricular and so on and so forth, it is the period provided for preparation.

Now we are in the second phase, that is learning and teaching should be in process and of course for this one I am writing a course, that is, a post graduate diploma course that will be offered to public early next year I hope. Also, I will work out a course that is an MA or Master of Arts, maybe in Social Sciences or in Tourism Management or in anything or even in Buddhist Studies."

In responding to the question are there any benefits in using these technologies Dr. Duangsamosorn noted

“Well of course, of course. That is a good question because of the introduction of the new technology IT we have found that this is very helpful in order to get our message across to many people overseas, not only locally, but also externally.”

You see the action has become more convenient to get our news or to get our message to other people in different parts of the world.”

“Are there any limitations in using these technologies?”

“I think that regarding this question, some limitations must be there.”

“I believe some of us may not be able to operate the IT equipment so conveniently that is perhaps a draw back or a short fall but other wise we have so many students who have been taught and well trained to utilise the equipment.

Dr. Duangsamosorn noted we are in the process of teaching and training our young ones to become familiar with the machines or with the devices used for this one, the IT, laughingly commented it means Information Technique is that right.

He went on to state: “Then of course when we are talking about this, some people may like and some people may not like it, that it is a kind of Virtual University when you are studying from the computer screen. When you have any questions, you can ask any questions by writing your message or by programming your question on the computer screen. But then it is not really as good as when you are studying with your teacher so that you can verbally discuss a lot, you can verbally discuss, do not have to write it.”

“Another one is that because of the linguistic problem here by that I mean English. So we speak English ok, but because we also have to speak Thai also most of the time and therefore when we have to speak English sometimes feel inconvenient to do so. But once we are motivated to speak with good English speaking people then only we can speak alright but even me, myself have used English for more than 40 years but I am bound to make errors very often.”

Responding to the question “How does the use of these technologies relate to your objectives?” Dr Somboon Duangsamosorn stated that:

“The use of new technology is related to our objectives in such a way: at the beginning because we do not have classrooms, we do not have curricular ready to be offered, however, we have to build ourselves up to the recognition of the world, because we are the World Buddhist University and we have found that this is the best method to make ourselves known and recognised by the public internally and externally and that will make us feel more confident with our second phase operation that is to offer teaching and learning program.

With the different classes for example, diploma course and then Masters degree course, even a Ph.D. program respectively.”

In regard to how the use of technology may assist to meet the Universities objects Dr Duangsamosorn answered:

“We do expect and do hope that the technology, that the IT system has already helped us to a certain extent. That now many people start to make enquiry about what we are doing here at the World Buddhist University.”

“So I can say to a certain extent the IT system has already helped us.”

In thinking about how it may help in the future Dr Duangsamosorn noted "…what I can see at the moment is that the Technology in the context of IT followed by many other things like Internet, computer size, there are so many things that I am not familiar with because I am not a modern man I am a man of old age. (laughs).”

“However, in my efforts to understand all kinds of things I can see that it is very good. I can see that in the short term it is doing very good. In the near future we will have to depend on the assistance of these things or we will be out of touch by the whole world.”

“When you are switching on your television, computer also you can many things. Particularly the computer screen you can see many things that cannot be seen or cannot be viewed on the television screen.”

“You can go into website (laughs). I am not familiar with this w…. w….w… dot com and so forth and you see many things and a lot of information is available on the computer screen.”

Responding to the question “do you know of any publications that may assist with this research?” Dr Duangsamosorn observed “In so far as my knowledge is concerned I haven’t heard much about this, maybe you are the first case. The research through the computer, yes, I have heard some yes but in order to be substantial I haven’t seen anybody yet. Yours is the first case.”

In the context of getting ourselves known to other people, of course, the use of IT is very important but otherwise word of mouth is also very important, our publication in daily newspaper, magazines periodicals are also other means to lead us to our success in the future.”

On the question of problems and challenges "…number one we haven’t got sufficient people who can be termed as ‘the right man for the right job’, so this is our problem that we are facing now.”

“Number two, because we are newly born even though the name is, big that is the World Buddhist University, however, the premises we have, are not lets say good enough, to welcome the operation or the activities that are piling up and also queuing up, that are coming up. So we are worried about this because nowadays you see according to the trends people love to see, number one, big buildings, two, good organization, three modern, equipment, to convince that there sons and daughters are educated at a good university, that is well equipped with all kinds of technology, devices and this and that in the context of academic perfection. They only like to have their sons and daughters educated at such a place.”

“Now about us, we believe that in the near future we will bring out our products to be offered to our targets meaning scholars who would like to do their Ph.D. in the Buddhist Studies or Masters Degrees also in the Buddhists Studies. Also we will be able to offer them qualifications and also those who just want to study a short course like a training program in different fields and areas they will also come to us in the near future.”

"Most probably will be well prepared by the beginning of 2004."

In concluding Dr. Duangsamosorn made the following observations:

"The comments I would like to give are that many people nowadays or most organisations seem to be very good at the beginning, seem to be vigorous just at the very beginning and there is not enough continuity from the starting point and that is why they have failed, many of them have failed because of this.”

“Now if you ask why there wasn't strong continuity I can say in my answer that is because of financial problems. Number one financial problem. Number Two not enough capable administration and also many of the cases there wasn't enough unity because of the interests conflicts that cannot be solved that cannot be brought to acceptance that cannot be solved in the context of friendliness but each one wants to get more and more, so because of this conflict they cannot operate anything successfully.”

“I would like to tell you that with your research work you will also come to certain areas of views that cooperation is very important, unity is very important and also the important one is you cannot build up unity and diversity then it will be very difficult.”

“We cannot say we can live alone we have to live with people from different walks of life, bakgrounds, races, cultures but of course we have to be able to live peacefully and happily together.”

“Officially there are five religions that are recognised by the government namely Buddhism, Islam, Christian, Hinduism and Shikism and we have not had any religious conflict we live peacefully even though there are some people who have been trying to have a religious conflict... however all attempts to distroy our unity have failed, they cannot our unity is strong our blood is Thai blood and our religion has not taught us to be violent but to be peaceful and to be generous with each other and happy.”

“This is the point and that is why the population of thailand is now exceeding 63 million people but we haven't got any conflict, no religious conflict neither racial conflict.”

“In fact Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city, where people of different cultures, traditions, races, so on and so forth can live together happily and you know why? It is because the Thai people have his majesty the King at the centre of our hearts or mental center, that is our King Bhumibol the Great, the present monarch because he is a benevolent King therefore the Thai people are very happy. Also foriegners are very happy when they have come to live in Thailand they are also protected by the King and the law, the constitution of our country. They are welcomed and protected by the Thai hospitality."

We thank Dr Somboon Duangsamosorn and Dr Nantasarn who requested this interview be transcribed and published.

In concluding the interview Dr Somboon Duangsamosorn said “I don’t mind to be included in your report that is a gesture of expressing gratitude to a person who have done something good for you, that is also our practice here in Thailand.

Even in my thesis I put many names of people who were helpful to me like my advisor, my supervisor, my secretary who had helped me to type my dissertation for my PhD program.

So to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to them so that is our culture also. So if you don’t mind to put my name there. You can quote”.

At our General Meeting held on Friday 31 October 2003 formally moved that the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. support Miss Pennie White in her Masters in Education Research Project, "The Use of Information and Communication Technology by the World Buddhist University in Bangkok, Thailand".

We wish Pennie great success and learning in this important research project.

We wish the World Buddhist University great success in its Buddha Dhamma work

May all students, scholars and teachers be well and happy.

May you be well and happy.

This script was written and edited by Julian Bamford, Leanne Eames and Pennie White. The recorded interview for the script was transcribed by Pennie White.


References

Menken, H.L. A New Dictionary of Quotations Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1991 pp1238 Quotations cited:

Coffman L.D., (President of the University of
Minnesota) in the Journal of the American Association
of University Women, Jan 1936.

Huxley, T.H., A liberal Education and Where to Find it, 1868 (Addres in London)

The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press, 1985 pp. 155

Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Vol 12 No.1. Briefing for our Members and Friends on the Proceedings of the Third Meeting of the World Buddhist University Council held on 9 February 2002 and the International Conference on "Buddhism and World Peace" held on 10 February 2002 at the Maxx Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand


Counts Words: 3550
Characters: 16681
Paragraphs: 93


Disclaimer

As we, the Chan Academy Australia, Chan Academy being a registered business name of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., do not control the actions of our service providers from time to time, make no warranty as to the continuous operation of our website(s). Also, we make no assertion as to the veracity of any of the information included in any of the links with our websites, or another source accessed through our website(s).

Accordingly, we accept no liability to any user or subsequent third party, either expressed or implied, whether or not caused by error or omission on either our part, or a member, employee or other person associated with the Chan Academy Australia (Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.)

This Radio Script is for Free Distribution. It contains Buddha Dhamma material and is provided for the purpose of research and study.

Permission is given to make printouts of this publication for FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY. Please keep it in a clean place.

"The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts".

For more information, contact the Centre or better still, come and visit us.

© 2002. Copyright. The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

Back to Top