Background of Panyaprateep

From the time that Thawsi School has declared itself to resolutely follow the path of Buddhist education in 2000, there have been repeated calls for the school to start the secondary school level. But owing to limited resources, space at the present site, finance, and personnel etc., progress was quite slow.

But recently, the school has been given a very generous gift by Mrs. Thawsi Svasdi-Xuto, the mother of our Headteacher, Khroo Onn and founder of Thawsi School, in the form of an ideal piece of land of 34 acres (84 rai), about 4 kilometers from Bahn Boon and Bahn Rai Thawsi in Pakchong, two hours drive from Bangkok. “Granny Thawsi,” as she is affectionately called by the children, is very keen and determined to help set up this new secondary school so that the entire cycle of Buddhist education from nursery to pre-university levels may be completed.

   The gift of 34 acres of land was the starting point of this secondary school project. Last year in 2006 an inaugural ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of Panyaprateep Dhamma Sala, a muti-purpose building capable of accommodating more than 200 participants for retreat programs and for many other learning activities.

   As of October 2007, the formal Panyaprateep Foundation is being set up. We are currently planning to open our Panyaprateep secondary school by May 2009. We are working on various fronts at the same time from preparation of the curriculum, recruitment and training of teachers, potential students, landscaping and architectural design, and fund raising from organizations that support Buddhist education and human development.

Objectives of Panyaprateep Foundation

1 For the benefit of human development

1.1 Provide Buddhist education in the form of an educational institution while mobilizing together all the external supporting factors conducive to human development based on the Buddha’s Principles of the Three Fold Training. 1.2 Promote the metta and wisdom culture as part of the establishment of a community of kallayanamitta (good friends) who stand ready to diligently learn, to train and develop ourselves in order to acquire wisdom and ability to be our own refuge. The Right View (sammathitthi) must serve as the guiding principle of living. 1.3 Promote the way of life based on His Majesty the King’s Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, the practice of which brings about a harmonious balance, characterized by the principles of moderation, heedfulness, strengthening the moral fibre of the people and the development of immunity to protect oneself.

2. For the benefit of the religion

2.1 Provide and manage education and training programmes and courses for human development based on the Buddhist teachings as a way of propagating Buddhism for the ultimate benefit of the society and the world community.

2.2 Organize dhamma retreat practices for Buddhist communities and groups of kallayanamitta in general.

2.3 Produce dhamma media in both Thai and English in various forms for dissemination of teachings of the Buddha, and the sangha who practice well to both the Thai and international audience.

3. For the benefit of the natural environment and the world.

3.1 Support organization of activities, programs, and dhamma teachings that train human beings to know how to live harmoniously and intelligently with nature. Emphasis will be placed on the study of ecological management and how human beings can be one and the same with nature.

3.2 Promote Right Livelihood in the agriculture sector based on the Right View (Sammathitthi), and the application of technological development which supports and favours renewable energy. Promote the way of life which is consistent with and supportive of the natural environment while upholding the principle of sustainable development.