The research on “A Study of aged people’s lifestyle according principles
of Buddhist Doctrines, a case study of Luekhamhan Village, Warinchamrab District, Ubonratchathani Province” consists of three objectives as follows: 1) to study the principles of Buddhist Doctrines for living lives of the aged people, 2) to study the condition of society and problems of aged people’s living lives in Luekhamhan community, Warinchamrab District, Ubonratchathani Province and 3) to study a method of applying The Buddhist Dhammas to promote development and to solve the problems of aged people’s living lives in Luekhamhan Village, Warinchamrab District, Ubonratchathani Province. The methodology of this research is qualitative, emphasizing on documentary and field researches.
The result of studying the principles of Buddhist Doctrines concerning with living lives of the aged people, in Luekhamhan community, was found that: 1) the principles of Buddhist Doctrines that promote development and that solve the physical problems are Trilakkhana (The Three Characteristics) and Ariyasacca 4 (The Four Noble Truths), the Impermanence, transiency and decay of conditioned things that make one suffer, and the body upon which one depends is non-self or soullessness, 2) the Doctrines that promote mental and emotional development and solution are Panca Sila (Five Precepts), Panca Dhamma (Five Ennobling Virtues) and Gharavasa Dhamma (Virtues for a good household life); living without extorting all people and animals, having good conducts, not causing any problem to the children, but helping them properly, 3) the Doctrines that promote social and familial development as well as solving problems are Brabmavihara (Sublime states of mind), Sangahavatthu (Acts of doing favors), Saraniyadhamma (Virtues for fraternal living), Aparihaniyadhamma (Things leading never to decline but only to prosperity); having kindness and compassion for the members in family and society, donating and sharing things with the neighbors, respecting each other, giving encouragement and cooperation in group, obeying the regulations of society and 4) the Doctrines that promote economic and income development and solution are Apayamukha (Causes of Ruin); not involving in whatever is harmful and leading to ruins.
The result of studying the problems was found that: 1) Physically, the aged people, both men and women, have the similar problems; namely; Osteoarthritis of the Knee, backache, lumbar pain, muscle pain, Diabetes and hypertension, 2) mentally and emotionally, they are afraid of being alone, sometime they are fretful and have bad temper, but for a short time, finally they can control themselves, 3) In the field of Society and family, those who are pensioners always participate in social activities but those who are traders or who have free occupations join the same activities a little bit because of occupational inconvenience, the aged people frequently have a conflict with their children and grandchildren because of being worried about them and afraid that they will not behave themselves to be good people, their too much concern makes the children unpleasant, but at last they understand and are in harmony with each other and 4) In the field of economics and incomes, mostly they do not have any problem, they get pension and money supported by government, some of the aged people have to look after their orphaned and disabled children, this increases more expenses in the family; even though, it leads to the shortage and debt but finally, all the problems can be solved as their children who have good job often give them a financial help; moreover, some live with the aged people, not abandoning them. |
