"This chapter attempts to assess the information discussed on digital social media such as Twitter, Internet, and Instagram related to the Dhammakaya Temple and its abbot. Content and contextual analyses will be conducted. The research findings will be discussed against the background of modernizati ... on, Thai Buddhist culture, and digital communication in Thailand." (Abstract) more

"This paper attempts to analyze the following:(1) How the Sangha, or the Buddhist body of Thailand, has been impacted since it has become part of the state during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V); (2) How the economic and social development has an impact on Thai Buddhism, especially the anim ... istic beliefs, cults, Hindu Gods, and astrology; and (3) How the Thai mass media and new social media create hypes on Buddhism, animism, and the further commercialization of Buddhism." (Abstract) more

"From a Buddhist perspective, social change needs transformation of both spiritual and personal aspect. Mindful communication is a methodology to a critical self-reflexivity and social engagement. It is to help us cope with greed, anger, and delusion. For the mass media and the media industry, delus ... ion deems to be addressed for both media practitioners and corporations. Being mindful is being addressed in this chapter. Anyone, not only journalists, should benefit from mindfulness understanding and practice." (Abstract) more

"Advocacy communication is now a key action term in development discourse. Advocates are usually issue- or programme-oriented and do not often think in terms of an ongoing process of social change in general, or peacebuilding in particular. The resolution of an issue or the initiation of a programme ... are ends in themselves. Thus, the primary aim of advocacy is to foster public policies that are supportive to the solution of an issue or programme. Since public policies must be viewed as an integral part of development processes, the kind of advocacy we advocate is participatory." (Abstract) more