Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to study a dimension of the problem in religion concerning the use of religious Language. This study employs Wittgensteins language-game concept as the framework of analysis. The use of language by Santi-Asoka or Chaw Asoka will be analyzed. This study make use of both survey literature and field study. The field study follows an anthropological approach by observing, participating and leading the form of Chaw Asoka. The analysis of basic problems in the use of language in religion in Chapter 2 shed some light on this debate among western philosophers. The use of language in Buddhism ex exhibits the same problem. The advancement in scientific knowledge has made science the master of truth and rationality. The status of religion, within this context, has deteriorated to its historical low level. Religions in both the East and West attempt to regain their status by explaining their teachings to fit the foundation of scientific knowledge. The attempt is to know that these teachings are rational and contain as much respectable truth as scientific knowledge. The discussion of Wittgensteins concept in Chapter 3 shows that there are three levels of knowledge, namely, fact ( that can be sensed ), truth ( that car be proven ) and reality (which is the existence of truth ). Wittgenstein pointed out that the level of knowledge that is accessible by thinking and referred to by language is only the second level. The later Wittgenstein thinking, when synthesized with the concept of paradigm shift proposed by Kuhn, suggests that the meaning of language is deeply rooted in the time and space dimension within the form of life and context of a language game in one paradigm. Therefore, the truth that we usually understand may not exist concretely. It only exists in the time and space dimension within one paradigm. In Chapter 4 , the language game is used as a framework to analyze the use of language by the Santi-Asoka School, a new Buddhist group that has conflict with main-stream Buddhist groups in Thailand. Some evidences suggest that the use of language by the Santi-Asoka School is successful in communicating with the common people. The explanation of Buddhism by the Asoka School can be characterized as existing within a paradigm. The conflict thus arises because because of the difference in the dimension of the language used. The same set of religious language has been used by the main stream Buddhist in a different context of language game under a different paradigm. In such a case where there are more than one self-contained paradigms of explanation of Buddhist teaching, it is not possible to judge which paradigm is correct according to the objective of Buddha. The reality is above and beyond the frame of language and realm of rationality. The search for ultimate knowledge and reality cannot be satisfied by seeking an ultimate answer. The ultimate realization of knowledge or reality can be attained by seeking the ultimate of questioning. That level of knowledge can be achieved only by self realization and cannot be transferred to other by the use of language. Since language is also rooted within a form of life , at the level of truth that can be represented by language, we can find a resolution to the debate within a paradigm. For the teaching of Buddha, this problem can be solved by the comparison of each explanation with the Sila or discipline which reflects the concrete religious form of life. Therefore, Slila and discipline that Buddha created has the utmost important role as the master of the religion. It represents Buddha himself after his invariant . In conclusion, to solve the conflict in the religion arises from the problem of differences in understanding the religious language, one should go back to the form of life suggested by the prophet of each religion. I belief that the paradigm that explains the teaching of the prophet by resorting to the substance of the traditional from of life will point to the reduction of desire for the excess in life, and to the promotion of diligence and care for other beings. Within this paradigm of explanation of Religion, the role of Religion can regain its role in solving human problems as it used to do in the long history of human civilization.