Enhancing the Active Ageing of Happiness of the Elderly According to Buddhist Principles in the Sangkha Subdistrict, Sangkha District, Surin Province

Abstract

          This research has three objectives: 1) to study the survey of the health of the power of happiness of the elderly in Sangkha Subdistrict, Sangkha District, Surin Province; 2) to study the development of the power of happiness activities of the elderly according to Buddhist principles. Dhamma in Sangkha Subdistrict, Sangkha District, Surin Province, and 3) to evaluate the results of strengthening the power of the Buddhaof happiness of the elderly according to Buddhist principles in Sangkha Subdistrict, Sangkha District, Surin Province The researcher used a qualitative research method (Qualitative Research) using a questionnaire. and in-depth interviews with 25 target groups/person.

The research results found that:

1. The state of well-being in older adults involves three aspects of change: 1) Physical changes, which occur in all natural bodily systems; 2) Mental changes, resulting from physical and social changes, which can lead to mental health issues; and 3) Social changes, involving personality and emotional shifts, including anxiety and fear of being abandoned by family members.
2. The development of happiness empowerment activities for the elderly according to Buddhist principles is based on the practice of four aspects of meditation: 1) Physical meditation, which includes cultivating the body, developing physical health, training the body, and improving relationships with the physical environment; 2) Ethical meditation, which involves cultivating morality, developing proper conduct, and practicing ethical training to avoid causing harm; 3) Mental meditation, which encompasses cultivating the mind, developing mental strength, and training the mind to be resilient and compassionate; 4) Wisdom meditation, which focuses on cultivating wisdom, developing understanding, and training the intellect to know and comprehend all things as they truly are, being aware of the world and life as it arises.
3. Strengthening the happiness potential of elderly people according to Buddhist principles is a practice to enhance behavior or good habits in basic necessities: food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. It should be carried out according to the five principles of Ayusathamma: 1) Sappayakari regarding living places, meaning a clean and safe residence; 2) Sappaya Mattanyu, knowing moderation in eating; 3) Panitposi, consuming easily digestible food with all five food groups; 4) Kallajari, knowing the proper timing for eating, sleeping, and working; and 5) Brahmachari, observing proper conduct, giving alms, maintaining moral precepts, and practicing meditation, which leads to both good physical and mental health.