บทบาทผู้นำศาสนาอิสลามและศาสนาพุทธต่อการเสริมสร้างความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างชาวมุสลิมและชาวพุทธในสามจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate: 1) influence of Islamic religious leaders and Buddhist religious leaders in terms of thought that affect the relationship between Muslims and Buddhists; 2) conditions affecting the roles of Islamic and Buddhist religious leaders in promoting relationship between Muslims and Buddhists; 3) the roles of Islamic and Buddhist religious leaders in promoting the relationship between Muslims and Buddhists; and 4) guidelines for promoting religious leaders who have influence on the relationship between Muslims and Buddhists in the three Southern border provinces. This multiple case study was conducted in 12 communities using qualitive research methods collecting data from documents and the field through focus group discussion, observation and in-depth interviews. The target groups consisted of 41 Buddhist religious leaders, 38 Islamic religious leaders, 43 Buddhists, 48 Muslims, and 25 government officers totaling 195 informants. Data were validated using triangulation and concluded using descriptive analysis. The results of the study regarding influence of religious leaders in terms of thought, that affected the relationship between Muslims and Buddhists were kindness towards others regardless of religion, social equality despite religious differences, unity as power towards peace and strength, knowledge and awareness developed to reduce bad attitude towards each other, and the unrest is not the cause of religious conflict. The conditions affecting the roles of Islamic and Buddhist religious leaders in promoting the relationship between Muslims and Buddhists were found to be the proportion of Muslim and Buddhist population, sharing the same history and awareness, individuality of religious leaders, statuses of Buddhist temples and social networks, support from the government sector, urbanization, ruralness and economy, background of relationship management of religious leaders, and communication and practice of media users. Regarding the roles of Islamic and Buddhist religious leaders in promoting the relationship between Muslims and Buddhists, the findings were as follows. As regards individuality, people visiting each other, giving help and exchanging and sharing knowledge. Concerning ceremonies, people participating in opening ceremonies of places and offices and in celebrating important persons. Socially, the roles of Buddhist religious leaders were organizing art and cultural activities, promoting education and religion, allocating temple compounds for periodic markets, home-visiting, and organizing rescue units. For islamic religious leaders, their roles were organizing forums for religious leaders, reforestation, developing the environment, participating in children's day, fairs, and in various committees. The roles that influenced the relationship most were the roles of Buddhist monks in helping Mustims concerning public health and other aspects. The guidelines for promoting religious leaders who have influence on relationship between Muslims and Buddhists were found to be regularly organizing activities participated by Islamic and Buddhist religious leaders, religious leaders consulting each other regarding the teaching direction and communicating it to all followers, selecting good quality and sincere government officers, screening persons to hold Islamic religious positions, estabishing a peace and justice institution, maintaining Buddhists' stability in the community, and creating multi-cultural curriculums at all levels. The positions of Islamic and Buddhist religious leaders do not only adhere to the designated roles but also have fluidity as needed in the situations, values, meanings and expectations. Appraising the actual roles depends on gains and losses resulting from certain behavior, and therefore, expectations among Muslims and Buddhists of Islamic and Buddhist leaders are not the same. Each multi-cultural area has its own specific context, and thus, the relationship system of one community could not be completely applied to another.