Enhancing Integrated Buddhist Citizenship Among Youth in Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) examine the processes for enhancing integrated Buddhist citizenship among youth; 2) develop strategies for driving and networking the enhancement of integrated Buddhist citizenship; and 3) implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the developed strategies in Khon Kaen Province. A mixed methods research design was employed, integrating quantitative data collection, qualitative data collection, and experimental research. The experimental sample comprised 50 youth in Khon Kaen Province, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments consisted of: 1) the strategy for driving and networking the enhancement of integrated Buddhist citizenship; 2) a knowledge and understanding test on Buddhist citizenship; and 3) a questionnaire assessing the appropriateness of the strategies. Data were analyzed using mean (), standard deviation (S.D.), and dependent t-test statistics.

The research found that:

1. Youth in Khon Kaen Province expressed a strong need for integrated Buddhistcitizenship enhancement processes to develop knowledge, understanding, and civic consciousness grounded in Buddhist principles.

1. The developed strategies were rated as highly appropriate ( = 4.40, S.D. = 0.13) andwere considered applicable to the local context.

1. The implementation of the strategies showed that the post-training scores ( = 15.96, S.D. = 1.60) were significantly higher than the pre-training scores (  = 8.16, S.D. = 0.89) at the .05 level of statistical significance.

1. The evaluated and refined strategies were aligned with the needs of youth and canserve as an effective guideline for promoting the development of Buddhist citizenship.