Dhamma Integration for a Sustainable Sufficiency Economy in Udon Thani Province

Abstract

This Research Article aims to 1) study the problems of the community and the integration of Buddhist principles to strengthen the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Udon Thani Province, 2) study the understanding of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and its application in daily life, 3) guidelines for integrating Buddhist principles to strengthen the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Udon Thani Province. This is a qualitative research study documents related to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of King Rama IX and the integration of Buddhist principles, combined with field research. The study area in Udon Thani Province. The target group for this study includes village philosophers, and community representatives. Data analysis employed descriptive content analysis and interpretive synthesis. The findings were written and presented descriptively. The research findings revealed that 1) the community's problems and the integration of Buddhist principles to reinforce the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy encompass diverse aspects, including economic, social and cultural, natural resources and environment, management and leadership, and infrastructure and technology. The integration of the Fourfold Buddhist Meditation Principle along with other teachings aims to strengthen the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. The study showed that this approach emphasizes creating balance and stability at the individual and family level before expanding to the wider society. 2) The study examined the understanding of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and its application in the daily lives of the people. The study found that the people in the study area had a good understanding of the philosophy of sufficiency economy. By applying the philosophy of sufficiency economy, agricultural land is transformed from monoculture to integrated new theory farming, including mixed farming, reducing costs and utilizing local resources, forming community enterprises, processing agricultural products such as silk, mulberry tea, and processed bananas, and establishing savings groups and community welfare funds, and 3) A proposal was made for integrating Buddhist principles to enhance the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy in Udon Thani Province. This involves integrating the Four Noble Truths (kaya bhavana, sila bhavana, citta bhavana, and prajna bhavana) and other teachings with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, emphasizing moderation, rationality, and building resilience for oneself and society, with knowledge by wisdom and Moral Virtue.