Abstract:
The purposes of this study were to explore lived-experiences of older persons who practiced the eight precepts of Buddhism at the temple, and to study health from perspectives of them, by using the qualitative method of Phenomenology. Data were collected by in-depth interviewing 12 elderly people (9 females and 3 males) who were purposively selected as key informants. The interviews were tape-recorded, followed by observation and field note writing. The researcher stopped to collecting data when data were saturated after the 12[superscript th] case interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data were analyzed by content analysis. Results of the study were displayed as followed. Lived-experiences of older persons who practiced the eight precepts of Buddhism at the temple were comprised with 3 themes which were 1) cause of entering the dharma practice 2) self-adjustment to be dharma practitioner and 3) dharma practice as a part of life. Health of older persons who practiced the eight precepts of Buddhism were defined as four themes which were 1) physical well-being 2) peaceful mind 3) participating in social activities and 4) receiving merit from dharma practice. This study could explain lived-experiences and health of Thai older persons who practiced the eight precepts at the temple. Health providers can use the finding of this study to promote activities regarding health promotion for the Thai Buddhist elderly.