Abstract:
The research consisted of the following objectives: 1) to study and analyze concepts and ways of practice for developing the community potential in order to enhance a peaceful society; 2) to survey the problems and obstacles in developing the community potential in order to enhance a peaceful society; and 3) to propose the guidelines for developing community potential in order to enhance a peaceful society based on the Buddhist integration. The population and sample group consisted of 23 persons. The research instruments included observation, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion. The acquired data were proceeded by means of content analysis. The results of the research are as follows:
1) From the synthesis of concepts on community development according to the approach of Sarvothai village, Phaendin-Dhamma Phaendin-Thong village, the Five Precepts village, Baan Pracharat scheme, and Chor Sa-ard village, it was found that the concepts on community potential development for enhancing a peaceful society can be categorized according to the principle of Bhāvanā (the Four Aspects of Development). Starting from the first aspect: physical development, namely, the development of the environment in order to support other aspects of development, followed by the development of the physical body in order to have a stable life, then the development of a career in order to live prosperously, and lastly, the development
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of health in order to deal with all problems and obstacles. The second aspect is moral development such as the development of behavior that is related to social rules and regulations. The third aspect is emotional development in order to have a strong and healthy mind that is of a good quality. The fourth aspect is intellectual development in order to realize the reality of things, which will result in the attitude that understands life and able to find ways to manage life and society on the basis of Sammādiṭṭhi (Right View). As for the ways of practice, the concept of PDCA must be applied as a tool, together with the integration of Iddhipāda (the Four Paths of Accomplishment), in order to successfully develop the community.
2) From analyzing the problems and obstacles in developing the community potential in order to enhance a peaceful society of Baan Khayung, Huai Ta Mon subdistrict, Phu Sing district, Sisaket province as well as Baan Non Ngam, Non Sawang subdistrict, Mueang Bueng Kan district, Bueng Kan province, and Baan Tha Koy Nang village, Sawai subdistrict, Prang Ku district, Sisaket province, the results of the study found that Baan Khayung has the following strengths: the development concept that is based on the principle of participation and Bhāvanā led by monk who is able to lead the community and coordinate external networks to take part in community development, the establishment of foundation as a source of funds to support activities and projects, the collaboration with networks within the community to voluntarily take care of the elderly, the arrangement of Plowpleu garden as a learning center and food source for both the temple and the village which results in the strong faith of the local people towards Buddhism. However, the village also has weaknesses which are the lack of a working mechanism that can connect all parties, there are few volunteers to mobilize the work, the lack of knowledge and understanding on the community-based development by the community. As for Baan Non Ngam, the strengths are as follows: the belief in Boon Chaekkhao tradition and faith as a tool for community development, monk as the leader to lead the community and coordinate outside networks both government agencies and private sectors to take part in community development. The weaknesses of Baan Non Ngam are the lack of a working mechanism that can connect all parties, monk who is both the leader and abbot of the temple is not always available as he has to study which results in the inconsistency of development, the lack of volunteers to mobilize the work. As for Baan Tha Koy Nang, the strength is the shrine of the ancestors called Pu Ta as the spiritual anchor for the villagers while the weaknesses are the lack of a working mechanism that can connect all parties, the lack of local monk leader who has the knowledge and ability, and the lack of working team to work continuously.
3) The guidelines for developing community potential in order to enhance a peaceful society based on the Buddhist integration must be under the framework of Rattanataya (the Triple Gem) as follows: 1) The Buddha which refers to the community potential development that should have the Buddha as the refugee of the mind, connecting the myth, resulting in faith as a whole. At the villagers level, it can be started from folk wisdom or community beliefs that should be preserved or developed as a common point or the beginning of belief fusion, and then the beliefs and faith that are without wisdom will be developed to have wisdom or reasons; 2) The Dhamma which refers to the community potential development that should have principles, methods, and strategies for development, as well as the Buddhist teaching and traditions. In this connection, there must be academic principles or knowledge to support the development e.g., research-based development, etc. The academic principles must also be able to integrate with the original traditions or rituals of the community. This is because the academic principles will be in a form that is still hard to understand while rituals or activities will help to put knowledge into action; 3) The Sangha or monks which refer to the community potential development that must have a leader or a role model to assert success or lead the way, which could be either monk or layperson who has the charisma as well as the knowledge in the structural mechanism for governing. The goals for development must follow Bhāvanā which are divided into physical, behavioral, emotional, and intellectual aspects as follows:
1) Physical development: the 1st phase is the strategy on developing environment within the village to be clean; the 2nd phase is the strategy on developing the livelihood according to the sufficiency economy as a tool to live a happy life; the 3rd phase is the strategy on financial planning based on Bhogavibhāga (Fourfold division of money).
2) Moral or behavioral development: the 1st phase is the strategy on developing community as the Five Precepts community; the 2nd phase is the strategy on developing the community with the principles of sacrifice and sharing; the 3rd phase is the strategy on enhancing the development in becoming a prototype person and prototype community.
3) Emotional development: the 1st phase is the strategy on using religious activities as a medium for community development; the 2nd phase is the strategy on enhancing the mental development from the level of faith to wisdom; the 3rd phase is the strategy for developing community potential into an awakened community, with a well-trained mind, and perform duties according to the Dhamma.
4) Intellectual development: the 1st phase is the strategy on building a strong community base by starting with the core institution of the community which is a temple; the 2nd phase is the strategy on enhancing the relationship between village, temple, and school; the 3rd phase is the strategy on changing the role of the temple from the ceremonial aspect to the intellectual aspect for the community.