Abstract:
The purposes of this research were: 1) to study Buddhist ethics in improving the quality-of-life of the elderly; 2) to study the quality-of-life problems of the elderly of the Sa Nok Kaew Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Phon Thong District, Roi Et Province; 3) to analyze the development of the quality-of-life of the elderly according to Buddhist ethics of the Sa Nok Kaew Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Phon Thong District, Roi Et Province. This study was qualitative research conducted by studying information from the Tripitaka, documents, and related research. There were 40 key informants. The data were interpreted by the descriptive analysis based on the inductive method.
The results of the research were as follows:
1) Buddhist ethics in the development of quality of life is the introduction of Buddhist ethics at three levels: the beginning level, Sīla (Precepts) is the physical and verbal development; the middle level, Sīla-kammapatha (Course of morality actions) is the physical, verbal and mental development and the high level, Aṭṭhaṅgika-magga (the Noble Eightfold Path) is the wisdom development in parallel with The Trisikkha (Threefold Learning) principle (Precept, Meditation, Wisdom), the Four Bhāvanā (Development) principles (Physical, Moral, Mental and Intellectual Development) and the Four Iddhipāda Dhammas (Paths of Accomplishment) (Aspiration, Effort, Thoughtfulness, Investigation).
2) The problematic condition of the quality-of-life problem of the elderly was found in four aspects: 1) the physical quality of life, 2) the emotional quality of life, 3) the social quality of life, and 4) the intellectual quality of life.
3) Developing the quality of life of the elderly according to Buddhist ethics is to apply the principles such as Trisikkha as a process of creating an order for living, while the Four Bhāvanā is used to develop a body, morality, and wisdom for a happy and sustainable coexistence in society by realizing the value and safety in the life of our fellow human beings. The Four Iddhipāda Dhammas are used as the fundamental principle that leads to success in relation to each other, it is a process that leads to a healthy life that leads to longevity. When it has been developed in accordance with the aforementioned Buddhist ethics, the elderly will have a quality of life and lead to a quality society in all 4four dimensions: physical, mental, social, and intellectual.