The Model of Applying Buddhist Principles to Strengthen the Ban Thong Ao Community, Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province

Abstract

             The purpose of this research were :1) to examine concepts to strengthen the Ban Thong Ao community in Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province; 2) to study Buddhist principles in strengthening the Ban Thong Ao community in Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province; and 3) to apply Buddhist principles in strengthening the Ban Thong Ao community in Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province. This is qualitative research utilizing in-depth interviews with thirty key informants: 1) four monk representatives; 2) five teacher representatives;3) ten community leaders; and 4) eleven public representatives. The findings are presented using an inductive methodology.
             The research findings reveal that:
             1. Community strength has sustainable potential through self-reliance. The Ban Thong Ao community faces six primary challenges: a weak economy, low social cooperation, a lack of education and knowledge, inadequate community management, environmental degradation, and low public engagement. These problems are obstacles to community strength and sustainability.
              2. The Buddhist principles for strengthening the Ban Thong Ao community, Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province, consist of 1) the principles of Sappurisadhamma, 2) the principles of Sangahavatthu, 3) the principles of Trisikkha, 4) the principles of Ten Rajadhamma, 5) the principles of Sappaya, and 6) the principles of the Brahmavihara. The application of Buddhist principles can appropriately solve problems; the principles of Sappurisadhamma for promotion of the economy; the principles of Sanghavatthu to promote cooperation; the principles of Trisikkha in promoting education; the principles of Rajadhamma to promote management; the principles of Sappaya for solving environmental problems; and the principles of the Brahmavihara to promote participation. The new knowledge is the BESMEP model, which helps communities achieve  self-reliance with balance in all dimensions.
             3. The Buddhist principles for strengthening the Ban Thong Ao community, Don Sak District, Surat Thani Province, consist of 1) the principles of Sappurisadhamma, 2) the principles of Sangahavatthu, 3) the principles of Trisikkha, 4) the principles of Ten Rajadhamma, 5) the principles of Sappaya, and 6) the principles of the Brahmavihara. The application of Buddhist principles can appropriately solve problems; the principles of Sappurisadhamma for promotion of the economy; the principles of Sanghavatthu to promote cooperation; the principles of Trisikkha in promoting education; the principles of Rajadhamma to promote management; the principles of Sappaya for solving environmental problems; and the principles of the Brahmavihara to promote participation.  The new knowledge is the BESMEP model, which helps communities achieve self-reliance with balance in all dimensions.