“Answering a Myriad of Questions" by "Sathien Bodinanda": Content of Questions and Answering Strategies

Abstract

The article aimed to analyze the content of questions and answering strategies used by Sathien Bodinanda in the book "Answering a Myriad of Questions." Data was collected from the book "Answering a Myriad of Questions" (1968), which was the 2nd edition containing a total of 98 questions. The study employed content analysis concepts and presented the findings in an analytical descriptive format. The results showed that in terms of question content, the questions could be classified into six groups, which were: 1) content related to Buddhist principles, accounting for 30.61%; 2) content related to history, accounting for 27.55%; 3) content related to Buddha's biography, accounting for 14.29%; 4) content related to daily life, accounting for 12.25%; 5) content related to other religions or beliefs, accounting for 8.16%; and 6) miscellaneous content, accounting for 7.14%. As for the answering strategies, they could be categorized into eight types: 1) explanation, accounting for 38.19%, which appeared both as narrative explanation and itemized listing; 2) citation, accounting for 18.90%; 3) definition, accounting for 10.23%; 4) narration of events, accounting for 8.66%; 5) expression of opinion, accounting for 8.27%; 6) exemplification, accounting for 6.30%; 7) the use of question-and-answer format, accounting for 5.91%; and 8) analogy, accounting for 3.54%. Sathien Bodinanda predominantly employed the narrative explanation strategies to clarify or elaborate on the questions. Other strategies were typically used as supplementary strategies to enhance clarity, credibility, focus, and engagement in his answers. Furthermore, an examination of Sathien Bodinanda's answering style revealed that he often combined multiple strategies for specific questions.