THE APPLICATION OF PANYADHAMMA TO ENHANCE PEOPLE’S POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM IN BAN NA SUBDISTRICT, KLAENG DISTRICT, RAYONG PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To study the level of political knowledge and understanding in democratic system, 2. To compare political knowledge and understanding in democratic system, and 3. To Present guidelines for applying the principles of Dhamma wisdom to enhance political knowledge and understanding in the democratic system of the people of Ban Na Sub-District, Klaeng District, Rayong Province. This research was conducted by the mixed methods: Phase 1 was the quantitative research. The population included 8,433 voters in Ban Na Subdistrict, Klaeng District, Rayong Province, determined the sample size using Taro’s formula. Yamane obtaining sample size of 382 samples. Data were collected using questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics Phase 2 was qualitative research. Data were collected by in-depth-interviewing 10 key informants, namely, government officials, local leaders, and political science academics. And Buddhist scholars by selecting a specific sample group. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Then synthesized the information by writing an essay to present the information.

The results of the research were found that 1. by overall, knowledge and understanding of politics in a democratic system was at a high level. 2. People of different genders, ages, educational levels, occupations, and monthly incomes had knowledge and understanding of politics in a democratic system, by overall differently with statistically significant level at 0.05 level and 3. Panna-dhamma principles to enhance political knowledge and understanding in the democratic system of the people, at Ban Na Sub-District, Klaeng District, Rayong Province included: 1. Sutamayapamya, wisdom arisen from listening, that was, encouraging people to listen to gain knowledge and understanding. 2. Cintamayapanna, wisdom arisen from thinking, that was, encouraging people to think in order to understand various stories and 3. Bhavanamayayapanya, wisdom arisen from meditation, that was to encourage people to practice in order to enhance their experience by learning and doing.