THE STUDY ON BUDDHIST DOCTRINE FOR BUILBING PEACE AMONG MULTICULTURAL SOUTHERN ISAN

Abstract

The objectives of this research include: 1) to study the concept and Buddhist doctrine in building a peaceful multicultural society; 2) to develop components and indicators of peace building in multicultural society; and 3) to propose a model of peace building in a multicultural society. It was an action research. The population of this research includes: 1) Ban Yang community, Ban Yang Sub-district, Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province; 2) Ban Or-Udomsin community, Plai Sub-district, Lamthamenchai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; 3) Ban Tenmee community, Tenmee Sub-district, Mueang District, Surin Province; and 4) Ban Tanong community, Prasat-tanong Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province. Key informants were 50 monks and laymen. The instruments used for gathering information was the interview format created by the researcher. Research findings were as follows. 1) Regarding the concept and the Buddhist doctrine for building peace in multicultural society, the target population have different ways of life. Most of the target population believe in the mixed components of Buddhism and ghost spirits. In addition, in some areas, people have been heavily influenced by Buddhism, Brahmanism and ghost spirits. The religious practices have been inherited from generation to generation. This has supported Buddhism in prosperity, stability and continuous existence in the ways of life in these communities.  2) Regarding the development of components and indicators for building peace in multicultural society, there are 6 components and each component includes its indicators as the followings. Component 1: leadership includes 35 indicators. Component 2: common activities among members of the community includes 7 indicators. Component 3: common spiritual anchor includes 6 indicators. Component 4: mutual interactions among members of the community includes 5 indicators. Component 5: community sense of belongingness includes 6 indicators. Component 6: community organization includes 6 indicators. 3) Regarding the model of peace building in multicultural society, it includes the following steps: step1 being a good person; step 2 being intellectual; step 3 being balanced in income; step 4 having a good health; step 5 having a good environment; step 6 having a warm society; step 7 releasing from crimes; step 8 having a self-reliance fund; and step 9 having a strong village committee.