AN APPLICATION OF THE GARÃVÃSA DHAMMA 4 TO DEVELOP THE GUALITY OF LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY OF BAN NONG WAENG, NAM MONG SUBDISTRICT, THA BO DISTRICT, NONG KHAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aims to 1) to study the Four Household Dharma principles in Theravada Buddhism, 2) examine the current state of quality of life development in Nong Waeng community, Nam Mong Subdistrict, Tha Bo District, Nong Khai Province, and 3) explore the application of the Four Household Dharma principles to improve the quality of life in the community. This qualitative study involved field data collection through in-depth interviews with primary informants including monks, community leaders, civil servants, employees, and local residents, totaling 25 individuals.

The data were analyzed descriptively. 1.The research findings reveal that the Four Household Dharma principles, as taught by the Buddha in the Alavaka Sutta through a dialogue with the yakkha Alavaka, include Truth (Sacca), Temperance (Dhamma), Patience (Khanti), and Generosity (Caga), which are virtues that alleviate sorrow upon departing from this world. These principles serve as moral guidelines for householders and consist of 1) Truth: honesty and sincerity, 2) Temperance: self-control and self-improvement, 3) Patience: perseverance and resilience, and 4) Generosity: sacrificing personal gains for the greater good. 2. The current state of quality of life development in the community is supported by eight Buddhist principles including the Four Noble Truths, Six Directional Duties, Four Divine Abidings, Seven Qualities of a Good Person, Seven Social Virtues, Five Precepts, and Economic Sufficiency. Community development issues identified span eight areas: family, economy and debt, technology and communication, health, society, education, environment, and substance abuse. And 3. The application of the Four Household Dharma principles has enhanced quality of life in three aspects: 1) Individual: practicing honesty, emotional control, perseverance in work, and altruism, 2) Family: fidelity to one’s spouse, controlling anger, enduring hardships together, and sacrificing personal pleasures for family well-being, and 3) Social: maintaining truthfulness to gain trust, displaying appropriate public behavior, tolerating diverse opinions, listening to others, and engaging in volunteer social work.