Abstract:
This thesis entitled Guidelines for Knowledge Management in Utilizing Herb for the Treatment of Sick Monks in Buddhism has three objectives: 1) to study the states of problem and guidelines for knowledge management in utilizing herb for curing sick monks in Buddhism, 2) to study the treatment approaches in accordance with knowledge management for curing sick monks in Buddhism, and 3) to study and propose the guidelines for knowledge management in utilizing herb for curing monks in Buddhism. This research employed the Mixed Research Methods, Survey and Qualitative Ones. Buddhist laity, Buddhist monks, novices, nuns, Buddhist laymen and lay women including general people were used as the samples; the total numbers were of 106 whereby purposive samples were selected in answering online questionnaires. The Descriptive Statistics, Frequency, Percentage, Mean and Standard Deviation was used in analyzing the data collected. In addition, In-depth interview of six senior Buddhist monks, expertise, and village wise men was made. The processes in analyzing data composed of: 1) Data organizing, 2) Data Display, 3) Conclusion, Interpretation and Verification. The research tools were of Questionnaires and Interview Forms.
The results of such research were found that:
1) The results gained from the analysis of collected data which were answered through questionnaires divided according to people who used to utilize herb for curing the health were found that there were of 69 people whose treatment was done through utilizing herb where 69% were counted, and those who never utilized herb for health treatment were of 31 in numbers which was 31 in percentage.
2) In overall, the basis of those who answered questionnaires was of highest level (x̅=3.91, S.D. =0.256), viewed from each point gained from those who answered questionnaires, most of them answered the 7th item, the treatment was done through herb in accordance with its symptom/the high numbers of herb were utilized while curing certain diseases resulting in paying high expenditure which was of highest level (x̅=4.18, S.D. =0.892), the next was 16th item showing that the herb could be used to treat the symptom/the curing of diseases could be done through usage of herb by which it was easily found wherein self-plantation could be made at home that was of highest level (x̅=4.12, S.D. =0.967), and then the 13th item showing that the treatment done through the usage of herb or curing of diseases caused less expenditure could be made (x̅ =4.12, S.D. =0.913), then the 5th item showing that when the character, color, smell and taste of herb were considered, the negative answers in utilizing herb for treatment were given which were of highest level (x̅ =4.12, S.D. =1.037), then the 14th item showing that the treatment of symptom done through herb/curing diseases was safety more than the contemporary treatment made through modern medicine due to chemical contamination in the body which was of higher level (x̅ =4.10, S.D. =0.937), and the 3rd item was of less view showing that the treatment of symptom done through herb/curing diseases caused non-modernization or outdated one which was of medium level (x̅ =3.40, S.D. =1.206) respectively.
3) Suggestions gained from the research were proposed that the government sectors or the organization of traditional Thai medicine should provide certain policy and support where the activity concerning the conservation and preservation the utilization of herb in curing diseases could be made in order to sustain the ancestors folk wisdom, the treatment of ill monks made through herb, for instance, could be performed because of its safety which is without contamination and it could become higher alternative medicine in Buddhist society so as to meet the endless success in living life and peaceful society.