The Intergration of Buddhadhamma for Improve the Quality of Life of the Elderly in Muang District, Nakhonratdhasima Province

Abstract

             The objectives of the research article were 1) to study the quality of life problem of the elderly in Muang District 2) to study the Buddhist principles for quality of life improving of the elderly in Theravada Buddhism and 3) to study the integration of Buddhist principles for quality of life improving of the elderly in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province by interviewing in the target area and group discussions of 48 population in 4 sub-districts of Muang district, namely Nong Bua Sala Sub-district, Hua Thale Sub-district, and Cho Ho Sub-district, Nakhon Ratchasima Province to collect data for analysis and synthetic.

             The research results finds that:

             The Condition of quality of life problems for the elderly in Muang District Nakhon Ratchasima Province has 4 issues as follows: 1) physical problems caused by abnormal skin. The skin is thin and shriveled musculoskeletal system has deteriorated 2) family and social problems caused by the loss of a loved one, the spouse died or moved to another location causing the elderly to feel deprived of their loved ones, 3) economic problems, lack of income, lack of work, and 4) mental and emotional problems have amnesia easily deteriorating, forgetfulness caused by changes in the mental state.

            The Buddhist principles for quality of life improving for the elderly in Theravada Buddhism are: 1) the body aspect, which is the Three Characteristics, namely impermanent, suffering, and non-self, which are the moral principles for improving the quality of life in the body; 2) the family and social aspects, which are four Brahma Vihara, namely loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, which are the noble ones, 3) the economy is the bass of meritorious action, which are: generosity, moral behavior, mental development), and 4) Mental and emotional aspects, which are the four principles of meditation: physical development, moral meditation, mental meditation, and intellectual development.