Abstract:
The study entitled 'The Development and Promoting Health Elderly by Buddha - Dhamma in Phayao Province' was mixed-method research by using qualitative research method and quantitative research method. The research instruments were in-depth interview and questionnaire. The data were collected from elderlies from 5 meditation retreats in Phayao province as follows; Wat Sri Khom Khum meditation retreat, Wat Mhai Thankum meditation retreat, Wat Pho Tha Rammeditation retreat, WAt Loungrajasantharn meditation retreat , and Huy Keaw
Pha Fang meditation retreat. The data were analyzed and synthesized in order to describe the results according to 3 objectives as follows; 1. To study elderies' well-being in Phayao province through Buddhism, 2. To study the enhancement and development of well-being enhancement through Buddhism, and 3. To study the achievement of well-being development and enhancement of Phayao elderlies through Buddhism.
The results revealed as follows.
1.Most of elderlies were female age between 51-60. The majority of them were married. Half of them had chronic disease but it was not a problem to do meditation. The main objective of meditation was giving value to themselves and being happy. It was corresponded to the elderlies' general well- being concept.These elderlies were strong Buddhist. They wanted to study Buddhist principles and correct meditation. They believed in the merit of practicing meditation; having peaceful mind and being a good role model to their family.
2) The five meditation retreat used Bhavana 4 principles to use in the well-being development and enhancement of elderlies as follows; external development by using praying , practicing meditation, eating vegetarian food, social well-being development by keeping 5 percepts and 8 percepts every Buddhist days as well as participating in community activities in order to help children, mind and wisdom well-being development by listening to sermons, studying Dharma and practicing meditation.
3) The achievement of well-being development of elderlies in Phayao province was found that elderlies who practiced Dharma and meditation could solve their daily life problems effectively by placing importance on mind well-being development(x̄= 3.14), wisdom development (x̄= 3.13), social development (x̄= 2.95), and external development (x̄= 2.86) respectively. To sum up, the whole image of Phayao elderlies' well -being development through Buddhism was at high level (x̄=3.02).
The results could be summarized that elderlies placed importance on mind well-being at high level and followed by social development and external development. It was corresponded to Buddhist concept which places importance on wisdom well-being because it was considered to be the external happiness, social happiness, and social happiness. Human's sorrow came from clinging to everything. So, elderlies should place importance on living through the Buddhist middle way in order to live happily.