Abstract:
The study entitled The Process for Developing a Livable Urban Community by Buddhist Peaceful Means was based on Ariyasacca (the Four Noble Truths) model in accordance with action research method under the 9-step research framework. The research tools were purposive in-depth interview and participatory observation. Key informants consisted of 20 persons. The obtained data were analyzed by content analysis and presented by descriptive method. The objectives of the study consisted of three as follows: 1) to investigate context, problems, and requirements of Wat Mai Yai Paen community, as well as the concepts and theories for developing a livable urban community based on modern science; 2) to explore the Buddhadhamma conducive to the process for developing a livable community of Wat Mai Yai Paen, Bang Khun Non Subdistrict, Bangkok Noi District, Bangkok; and 3) to develop and present the process for developing a livable community of Wat Mai Yai Paen by Buddhist peaceful means.
From the study, the following results are found:
1) Wat Mai Yai Paen community is located in a prosperous area of the city. With the convenience of transportation in the city area, people in the community have a range of lifestyles and employment opportunities, leading the family in the community to expand. With the problem of knowing their rights but not their own responsibilities, which results in community problems, environmental problems, putting objects on the public sidewalk, and a lack of participation in community development, the following factor influence the development process: 1) individuality of people in urban community; 2) making community development plan; 3) public address system within the community; 4) relationships pertaining to the continuation of the network system between community, temple, and government sectors for community development; and 5) income as needs of people in the community. The key informants' views on the community development process are consistent with participatory concepts, but participation must be based on 'Bowon' (village, including private sectors and foundations; temple, including places of worship of other religions; government sector, including state enterprises, public organizations, and new forms of government agencies).
2) The Buddhadhamma conducive to the development process or a tool for people in the community to coexist peacefully and happily is Saṅgahavatthu (the Four Social Solidarity), as follows: (1) Dāna, where people follow the principle of giving, sharing, sacrificing, providing knowledge, and helping one another; (2) Piyavāca, in which people who coexist in the community use pleasant and polite language to communicate and aim for unity; (3) Atthacariyā, in which people in the community act in a way that is useful to the public and are willing to work for the community; and (4) Samānattatā, in which people have equal and even treatment, without discrimination, and in which one places oneself appropriately to position, status, or event, and does not utilize ones position as a condition for coexistence.
3) The development process Wat Mai Yai Paen community consists of 6 steps: (1) reaching consensus via talking, creating creative initiatives and ideas, fostering sharing and helping one another within the community; (2) adapting concepts and ideas to inspire and drive community development; (3) encouraging participation and carrying out activities, engaging in useful conduct for society and community; (4) providing opportunities for participation and the exchange of duties and positions in community development; (5) Continue the process repeatedly until the community is enthusiastic about development.; and (6) improving employment and income generation to meet people's needs, so they have enough to eat, have money to invest, and are debt-free. Such steps are in accordance with the Buddhadhamma and are intended to promote harmonious coexistence by the following actions: (1) sharing and being kind to one another; (2) pleasant speech based on friendliness and communication from the heart; (3) acting for the benefit of the public; and (4) behaving oneself in an equal and even manner. Such a development process is based on the involvement of "Bowon" power (village, temple, government sector). Following the efforts of the community board and people in the community to develop Wat Mai Yai Paen community, the following four aspects have undergone change: (1) Physical aspect, in which the community has become clean and shaded; (2) Behavioral aspect, in which the people in the community take part in various activities of the community; (3) Mental aspect, in which people have wisdom, a smile, moral mindset, generosity, a stable and strong mind, and happiness; and (4) Wisdom aspect, in which people in the community live their lives based on mindfulness in solving problems and following changes in the society.