DEVELOPMENT OF A BUDDHIST MODEL MORAL SOCIETY IN LOM SAK DISTRICT, PHETCHABUN PROVINCE

Abstract

This research, has the following objectives: 1) to study the community conditions in Lom Sak District, Phetchabun Province, 2) to study the model of creating a moral community network in Lom Sak District, Phetchabun Province, and 3) to study the development of a Buddhist-oriented model for creating an exemplary moral community network in Lom Sak District, Phetchabun Province. The research methodology was qualitative research. The researcher studied, explored, and collected data from related documents, and then conducted field data collection through in-depth interviews with four target groups, totaling 30 persons/individuals, and then wrote descriptively.

The research results found that the community conditions in Lom Sak District, Phetchabun Province, from the data analysis, found that 1) in terms of occupation, there were agriculture, rice farming, gardening, plantation farming, and animal husbandry, 2) in terms of tradition, the tradition of Heet Sib Song Khlong Sib Si was preserved, 3) in terms of culture, the community wore local Thai silk in various merit-making festivals, and 4) in terms of economy, the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy was used as a model.

The model of creating a moral community network from the research results found that 1) the model of doing activities by using the power of “Bor worn,” which is Buddhist principles, the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, and the principles of cultural conservation, 2) creating a moral community network in a developmental way, helping and depending on each other, 3) activities of the network included planting trees together on important days, and 4) there was a shared vision and goal in creating the network, with the moral prototype project as the model for creating the moral community network.

The development of the Buddhist-oriented model for creating an exemplary moral community network, the research results found that 1) the principle of development, 2) the method of operation was to console grievances, build friendships, and resolve conflicts by creating network activities and selling products online during COVID-19, practicing Anapanasati, having more mindfulness, strengthening lung health, reducing stress, controlling emotions, and being able to manage problems well, the principle of Sangahavatthu Four, which is sharing, gentle speech, helping each other, and consistency, and the principle of the Five Precepts–Five Virtues, which are compassion, right livelihood, restraint in sensuality, honesty with each other, and abstaining from intoxicants, with the moral prototype project as the main principle.