Operational Assessment Methodology of Five Precepts Project in KhonKaen Province

Abstract

The aims of this research were to study the conditions and problems, to assess effectiveness and to study the ways to promote and to develop the operation of Five Precepts project in KhonKaen province. The target group of this study included 21 best awarded project participants in 3 villages and the samples were 244 participants. The research tools were: an in-depth interview and a rating scale questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the basic statistics and Descriptive Analysis. The aims of this research were to study the conditions and problems, to assess effectiveness and to study the ways to promote and to develop the operation of Five Precepts project in KhonKaen province. The target group of this study included 21 best awarded project participants in 3 villages and the samples were 244 participants. The research tools were: an in-depth interview and a rating scale questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the basic statistics and Descriptive Analysis. 

The research results were as follows: 

1. The overall statistical score and that of each aspect of the operational conditions of the ‘Five Precept’ project were at a high level. The aspect with the highest statistic score was ‘Project Context’. This was the result of instilling a consciousness and loving awareness in the national, religious and monarch institutions through promoting the five precepts observation in daily life and each Buddhist holy day; participating in Buddhist important day activities, following the good local customs and cultures. This truly caused peace and happiness. The following ranked statistic score was that of ‘Product’. Based on the project operation, the family and village members were able to observe all five precepts particularly the third one ‘to refrain from sexual misconduct’. The number of people who went to perform the dhamma practices increased and they tended to behave based on the moral framework, good person characteristics and volunteer mind. The alcohol was not sold on the Buddhist holy day. The number of those who reduced and quitted the unwholesome deeds rose accordingly. The lowest statistic score can be seen in that of ‘Input’. This was the result of inadequate operational budget funded by the governmental sector. The budget, materials, equipment and facilities were supported by the private sector and practitioners who came to perform the dhamma practices. There was a setup of clean and green environment based on Isan way of life; the development of ‘the five precepts observation village model’. The statistic score of the problems in the project operation was at the low level. The highest score of the problem can be seen in the aspect of ‘Product’. Compared with other precepts, the majority of the villagers were unable to perfectly observe the first precept, ‘to refrain from destroying living creatures’ and the fifth precept ‘to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness’. Some of the villagers cannot refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs while participating in the funeral and religious activities. Some of them had no time to go to the temple. The lowest score of the problem was found in the aspect of ‘Project Context’. There was the management to reinforce the legal practices and follow the village regulation, integrative administration of the village factors to build the betterment of living. This created the good sample. 

2. The results of the effectiveness evaluation of the five precept observation village operation showed the qualitative means of the overall perspective and each aspect at a good level. The aspect with the highest quality assessment was that of ‘Project Context’. This showed that the five precepts observation supported the instillation of a consciousness and loving awareness in the national, religious and monarch institutions. Moreover, following the project policies caused the harmony within the society, conflict reduction and social peace. The second ranked quality aspect was ‘Product’. The population provided their assistance to one another and lived together with peace, participated in the temple activities more. The village was known as the village with ‘morals, happiness, harmony, reconciliation, unity and peace’. The aspect with the lowest score was ‘Operational Process’. The project participants were instilled with the moral, cultural, harmonious, grateful awareness. The villagers were trained in terms of educational assistance; however, the majority of them were unable to apply knowledge of public assistance to develop community to create peace, compared with other items including receiving services in terms of budget, material and facility services. These are the responsibility of the village and community. 

3. The ways to promote and develop the project can be divided into the following aspects. Project Context: the population should develop their body and mind through regular five precepts observation. They should be invited, led and encouraged to use the dhamma principles of Buddhism in their daily life, and be aware of, be realized, glorified of the national institute, religion, the king and country through suitably and continuously organizing the activities of five precepts observation. Input: the Five Precepts Observation’ villages should have hand-signed rules to follow until the rules become a part of their life, respected by the others. The governmental units should support the adequate budget for annual operation and the budget, materials, equipments and facilities should be also supported by the private sectors, This should be done by requesting the collaboration of all parties, according to the principles of “Boworn”, including ‘home’, ‘temple’ and ‘governmental units’. Operational Process: there should be the public relations, meeting to give clear knowledge and benefits of five precepts observation. The various forms of the activities promoting the project should be organized constantly and continuously. This includes organizing the training and exhibitions in the important Buddhist, national and governmental days. Product: when people and society realize the benefits of five precepts and accept them, the precept observation should be practiced immediately. The family members should observe the five precepts emphasizing on the fifth ‘to avoid alcohol consumption’, the first ‘to avoid killing’ and the second ‘to avoid stealing’. When people’s life and property are safe, this leads to the sustainable happiness. The right occupations should be promoted to the public. The sufficient earning income, self-reliability, self-satisfaction, realization, faith with vocal and physical good-deeds, voiding all bad things, responsibilities based on the virtuous and cultural principles of Buddhism should be risen for the sustainable happiness of the people.