Abstract

Innovative Development of the Potential to Integrate Modern Technology for Buddhist Monks as Promoters of Buddhism in the Mekong Region employed a mixed-method research and development approach. The objectives were: to investigate the current conditions and factors influencing the development of innovations for disseminating Buddhism by monks in the Mekong region using modern social media technology, to create and develop innovative methods for Buddhist dissemination through social media platforms, and to evaluate the satisfaction of using these innovations for disseminating Buddhism via social media. Target groups included 25 Buddhist missionary monks, 20 foreign missionary monks in the Mekong region, 140 Buddhist monks teaching moral studies in schools, and 80 administrators from Buddhist universities. Quantitative tools included a questionnaire with a reliability score of 0.956, while qualitative tools involved structured interviews. Statistical analyses included percentages, mean, t-tests, and stepwise multiple regression. Qualitative data were analysed through content analysis and thematic interpretation based on Buddhist principles. The study found that the use of social media for disseminating Buddhism was rated very high (mean = 4.62). Factors such as social context, dissemination components, and management had a significant influence. The study proposed a systematic model for dissemination, which included planning, organizational structure, technology integration, and content delivery methods. Key outputs included an e-book titled "Principles of Meditation Practice" for social media distribution. Monks rated this innovation highly for usability and benefits (mean = 4.65).

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