An Application of Bhavana Principle in Promoting the Quality of Life of the Elderly in Wat Thep Nimit Community, Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province

Abstract

             The purpose of this research were: 1) to study the concept of promoting the quality of life of the elderly in the Wat Thep Nimit community, Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province, 2) to study the four principles of meditation that appear in Theravada Buddhism, and 3) to apply the four principles of meditation to promote the quality of life of the elderly in the Wat Thepnimit community, Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province. This is a qualitative field research using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 20 key informants in Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province. Selected from elderly representatives who volunteered to be interviewed. Then present the data using descriptive analysis methods.
             The research results found that:
             1. The concept of quality of life development is to be happy in physical, mental, emotional and intellectual aspects, to be satisfied with the current environment and to have good interactions with people around you including family members and to be happy in many aspects. It can reflect the ability of the elderly to have good health in both body and mind, including intelligence. Caring for the elderly to be able, ready and able to cope with changes in physical, behavioral, mental and intellectual development in order to have the potential to live happily in society.
             2. The principle Bhavana in Theravada Buddhism is four stages of practice for self-development or mental development consisting of 1) Kayabhavana, physical development; 2) Silabhavana, behavioral development, 3) Cittabhavana, cultivation of stability of mind and 4) Pannabhavana, wisdom cultivation to comprehend the word and life as they really are.
             3. Apply the four principles of meditation to promote the quality of life of the elderly in the Wat Thepnimit community in Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket Province in four aspects: (1) Physical aspect: physical development or physical training, which is by promoting physical health care; (2) Behavioral aspect: behavior development or morality training, which is by promoting the elderly to live happily in society; (3) Mental aspect: mental development or mental training, which is by focusing on activities that promote good mental health; (4) Intellectual development: intellectual development or intellectual training, which is promoting wisdom through exchanging information, increasing knowledge, and being able to solve problems in life by themselves.