A MODEL BUDDHIST COMMUNITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF KANTUAT RAMUAN VILLAGE COMMUNITY, PRASAT DISTRICT, SURIN PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1) study the concept of an environmentally friendly community lifestyle, 2) examine the environmental friendliness of the Kantuat Ramuan Village community, and 3) analyze the environmentally friendly lifestyle of the Buddhist model community in Kantuat Ramuan Village for sustainable development. This is a qualitative study conducted through the review of relevant academic documents, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, with findings presented descriptively and analytically.

The findings indicated that:

1) The concept of a community lifestyle aligned with natural systems and the environment emphasizes that all family and community members should engage in education and understanding to cultivate awareness and a sense of responsibility. This involves living according to moral and ethical principles, establishing rules, community resolutions, and agreements through participatory processes to help preserve, prevent, address, and mitigate issues related to natural resources and the environment. Additionally, collaboration with organizations and agencies from both the public and private sectors in managing environmental matters is encouraged. Such practices represent an environmentally friendly community lifestyle.

2) The Kantuat Ramuan Village community has demonstrated continuous development in environmental friendliness, marked by an elevated vision for spatial development focusing on cleanliness and environmental care. This progress became more evident with the establishment of the Kantuat Ramuan Subdistrict Municipality on July 31, 2009, which implemented clear policies to define ongoing projects and activities. As a result, Kantuat Ramuan Village has developed both in terms of physical infrastructure and the capacity of its people. The community's culture is deeply rooted in fostering a positive attitude and emphasizing group collaboration skills. This foundation has enabled the community to develop and practice waste-free community management skills effectively.

3) Kantawacharamuan villagers have had a good governance lifestyle. There was the decentralization of responsible roles by dividing the leaders into 16 groups of villages, signs of groups of villages,  signs of the wisdom learning center, signs of homestay, and expression of behavior consisting of dharmic principles and morals: participating in setting determination in successful working for waste management, taking a persevering effort in holding continual conferences in the village every day within the first month until it gave rise to the resolution of the community in helping clean up the household target and get the houses ready in order.