Integrating Concepts to Promote the Gratitude in Thai Society

Abstract

A gratitude is a sign of a good person according to Buddhist principles. The current social context has changed due to factors such as nuclear families, migration, the influence of globalization or digital technology, the generation gap, and the trend of modern consumer culture. These have led to a decline in the practice of gratitude. Gratitude in its functional dimension refers to the practice of serving one another as parents and children. The principle of repaying kindness to benefactors involves both the physical aspect of the four necessities and the mental aspect of virtue. The best repayment is striving to instill faith, morality, generosity, and wisdom in benefactors. The integration of concepts for promoting and developing gratitude in Thai society includes: 1) Pointing out the benefits: Emphasizing that gratitude brings happiness, prosperity, honor, and reputation. 2) Pointing out the disadvan- tages: Showing the negative effects of ingratitude, which lead to decline, criticism, disassociation (both present and future), and even to a downward spiral. 3) Honoring and Celebrating Good Role Models: Honoring grateful individuals as role models for society, creating a peaceful, safe, and beautiful world. Grateful individuals possess a fundamentally good heart and live for the common good. 4) Repressing and Restricting Bad People: Pointing out ungrateful individuals as depraved, undesirable, and unprofitable. Society should be aware of these and avoid them. 5) Civilized Society Values: Anti-ingratitude actions: Preventive: Refrain from associating with, providing space, or opportunities for, ungrateful individuals. Corrective: If you must live with them, be mindful and cautious, like a poisonous snake, to ensure awareness. Value Creation: Honoring good individuals, granting them power, and punishing evil individuals to create a harmonious society. 6) Promotion Policy: Promote projects, activities, and curricula to instill gratitude in all sectors. The whole family, education system, religion, community, government, to create awareness as a normal way of life and to create a civilized society that is supportive, caring, and peaceful.