AN APPLICATION OF BUDDHIST PRINCIPLE FOR PREVENTING DECEPTION IN SOCIAL ONLINE

Abstract

This article included the following objectives: 1) to study the Dhamma principles in Buddhism for preventing deception in social online; 2) to study the current problem situation of deception in social online; and 3) to study the application of the Dhamma principles in Buddhism for preventing deception in social online. It was a qualitative research. The results of this research were as follows. Mindfulness (Sati) means the recalling before thinking, speaking or doing anything. It controls behaviors of the physical body, speech, and mind to be in the right path. Sati encourages the arising of wisdom to consider before doing anything. Sati is the recklessness i.e. essential principle in Buddhism. In addition, the mindfulness practice is the prognostication leading to the occurrence of Ariyamagga (the Noble Path). Sampajañña means the awareness of oneself through wisdom whether what one thinks, speaks and acts is wholesome or unwholesome. Regarding deception in social online, it was found that the intention was for gaining the property of the sufferers through deceptions such as deception through internet auction for merchandises, usage of credit card without permission, control of the third party’s modem, deception in using the website service, deception through marketing or direct sales. The methods of deception were, for example, seductive wedding proposal, stealthy arrogation from the western African for humanitarian support, invitation to implement an import-export business, call-center, deception through purchasing on social online i.e. transferring money to buy products but receiving none, online Ponzi schemes, disguise call-center acting as a court official trying to get the personal information which resulted the damages in life, physical body, property, and other benefits. In terms of applying mindfulness (sati) to prevent the deception in social online, it was found that there should be methods with the following Dhamma principles: Kalamasutta, Yonisomanasikara, reasonability of cause and effect, fact acquisition, and Upekkha. For the application of sati in preventing the damages from deception through internet, the following models should be included: promotion of mindfulness (sati) practice according to the Buddhist principles; the applications of sati cultivation among children and youth; the applications of sati by chanting; and the applications of sati in decision-making.