STRESS MANAGEMENT BASED ON BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA USA

Abstract

This thesis entitled “Stress management based on Buddhist principles in the city of Los Angeles,” consisted of 3 objectives: (1) to study stress of Thai people in Los Angeles, (2) to study stress management according to Buddhist principles of Thai people in Los Angeles, and (3) to strengthen Buddhist stress management methods of Thai people in Los Angeles.

The results showed that

1. Stress is a symptom of unsettled thinking, disorientation, and inability to find a way out. There is always a concern or have thoughts that do not belong to the present moment. Factors that cause stress are worrying about raising children and over working. Other factors are from TV news outlets, pressure from friends, family, work, fear from the COVID-19 situation, economic problems and higher cost of living. This eventually affects in many ways such as 1) The impact on body, 2) The impact on the mind, 3) The impact on the family and those around them, 4) The impact on the workplace and 5) The impact on society.
2. To manage stress in general, Buddhists use the following methods: not having high expectations, acceptance of reality, talking to a psychotherapist, finding physical therapy activities such as traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, exercising, and being with friends. Buddhist principles can be a great help in managing stress 1) Dana precepts (Generosity and Precept 2) Chanting to pay homage to the monks 3) Meditation 4) Precepts, concentration, and wisdom (Threefold Training) 5) Trinity (The Three Characteristics) 6) Yonisomanasikarn (Wise Consideration) 7) Four Noble Truths (The Four Noble Truths). However, they like to manage stress through meditation the most.
3. Temple activities used to manage stress according to Buddhist principles can be applied to solve stress problems very well. There is good information on how to manage stress even further, namely: 1) Fun events such as the Songkran festival. 2) Allow for longer meditation retreats. 3) For the monks in each temple to adopt the preliminary Dharma principles stated above, teach and clearly explain to the Thai community to fully understand. Because Thai people still lack understanding about merit making. 4) Temples should be encouraged to teach new generations to be more responsible. 5) I would like Venerable to study about the mindset of people here, because people here want the opportunity to speak and share their experiences. They will feel better and eventually have an open heart to come back to the temple and make merit themselves. Because Thai people who grew up here don't like pressure and expectations.

             The researcher summarizes the new explicit knowledge of “The development model of Stress management based on Buddhist principles in the city of Los Angeles” as D-BICG / D-APC / H-D-FORU Model.