Role of Thai Buddhist Monks in Promoting Health of Elderly People in North-eastern Region

Abstract

This research had three main purposes 1) The concept of value aspect in the healthy promotion of the elderly according to dhamma doctrines in Buddhism. 2) to study process and activities relating to the Thai Buddhist monk’s role in the This research had three main purposes 1) The concept of value aspect in the healthy promotion of the elderly according to dhamma doctrines in Buddhism. 2) to study process and activities relating to the Thai Buddhist monk’s role in the north-eastern to promote healthy aging, and 3) to study problems, obstacles and the approach to development the Thai Buddhist monk’s role in the north-eastern to promote healthy aging. The research methodology combines Qualitative and quantitative research. The research tools for data collection were questionnaire and observation. The areas to study were 20 provinces in the northeastern by selecting a temple from each province. The samples in this research were the abbot, Thai Buddhist monks in the temple, elders and community leaders. The sample sampling by purposive sampling total 160 persons and using descriptive analysis method from documents and field observations.  The result of research found that:  1. The concept of value aspect in the healthy promotion of the elderly according to dhamma doctrines in Buddhism. It is concerned with body (The sense force 6) and mental development (Cittabāvanā) and Buddhist meditation for social problem solving in living together, including economics and income to the practic elderly for goodness and right to the body and mind. It is the quality of life development for living in the society and able to apply Buddhadhamma in daily life of the elderly happily and suitable for themselves.  2. The health promoting temples of elderly gets ready in environmental management by making it portion, clean, comfortable and peaceful. Thai Buddhist monks created the role in promoting the elderly health for 4 aspects, i.e. (1) To promote physical health (2) To promote mental health (3) To promote social health (4) To promote spiritual health by using the process and activities concerned with Thai Buddhist monk’s role in promoting healthy aging in the north-eastern. These were 6 aspects i.e. chanting and Buddhist meditation, to promote the development of local cultural and traditional wisdom, to promote career and monetization, to promote saving and welfare, to promote recreational activities and exercise and to promote the herbal plants, which a part of roles in propagation and public welfare as Thai Sanga’s mission.  3. The problems, obstacles and the approach to development the Thai Buddhist monks role in the rural in promoting the healty elderly in the north-eastern, There were places, environments, person, matterial, budget. Co-operations and networks. So, It is necessary to develop the Buddhist monk role by creating networks multilateral to promote resources application in the temple for making. It to be knowledge sources long life. To bring Buddhist body of knowledge to promote elderly health care by establishing. The health promotion of the elderly center in accordance with Buddhist culture in the north-eastern. It was a network for co-operation among temple, community and official sector to be activated and adapted to integrate the Buddhadhamma. It can bring the principles of faith and wisdom, sustainable social development and creating good will among Buddhist group.