Buddhist Innovation and Quality of Life Enhancement: Addressing Violent Behavior among Children and Youth to Drive Community Development toward Peace in Bueng Kan Province.

Abstract

This research article aims 1) To study the current situation, problems, causes, and needs in addressing violent behavior, 2) to develop innovative solutions for addressing violent behavior and 3) to propose Buddhist innovations for addressing violent behavior among children and youth in communities in Bueng Kan Province. The results shows that: 1) The problem of violence among children and youth takes many forms, including fighting, bullying, physical assault, and online bullying. The main causes of the problem are multifaceted, including family factors. It is found that most children and youth come from problematic families, whether due to domestic violence, lack of warmth, parents working and lacking time to care for them, or parental divorce. 2) An innovative approach to addressing violent behavior among children and youth based on Buddhist principles found that, in order to develop children and youth holistically—physically, mentally, socially, and intellectually—it is necessary to utilize a dimension of self-development emphasizing mindfulness, meditation, and learning Buddhist principles. This also involves building positive relationships with family, friends, and the community, as well as developing the potential for social participation. Integrating Buddhist principles into the child and youth development process comprises three components: (1) a Buddhist-based curriculum for mental and intellectual development; (2) mindfulness and meditation activities to reduce aggression; and (3) creating a community network—home, temple, and school—to care for and promote positive behavior among children and youth.        3) A proposed Buddhist innovation for addressing violent behavior among children and youth in communities in Bueng Kan Province, based on research findings, integrates Buddhist principles as modern knowledge and local wisdom to develop children and youth holistically—physically, mentally, socially, and intellectually. This proposal is characterized by a systematic integrated approach between families, schools, temples, and communities, with the temple as the central driving force. It utilizes modern media and technology combined with local wisdom and has a close and continuous monitoring system.