BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES INTEGRATION FOR PROMOTING THE LIFE QUALITY OF PEOPLE OF SUBDISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION IN THAWUNG DISTRICT, LOPBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1. study the current conditions, problems, causes, and needs for improving the quality of life of people in the Subdistrict Administrative Organization areas of Tha Wung District, Lop Buri Province; 2. examine the factors affecting the quality of life of people in these areas; and 3. propose a process for promoting people’s quality of life based on Buddhist integration in the Subdistrict Administrative Organization areas of Tha Wung District, Lop Buri Province. This study employed a mixed-methods research design. For the quantitative research, data were collected from a sample of 396 respondents using a five-point rating scale questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.935. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. For the qualitative research, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 key informants, and the data were analyzed using content analysis.

The findings revealed that 1. Regarding the current conditions, the overall quality of life of the people was at a high level. The major problems and causes affecting their quality of life included unstable income, lack of occupational skill development, an increasing older population, household debt burdens, and the lack of concrete integration of Buddhist principles into daily life. 2. Quality-of-life promotion and the Bhavana 4 principles significantly affected the quality of life of people in all aspects at the 0.01 level. Quality-of-life promotion factors jointly predicted 63.3 percent of the variance in people’s quality of life, while the Bhavana 4 principles predicted 78 percent. and 3. The process for promoting people’s quality of life based on Buddhist integration consisted of: 3.1 quality-of-life development through continuous health promotion programs, activities supporting mental well-being, opportunities for public participation and expression of opinions, and appropriate waste and environmental management; 3.2 application of the Bhavana 4 principles by promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging honesty and integrity, organizing activities to enhance concentration, and providing knowledge that enables people to solve problems in daily life; and 3.3 enhancement of people’s quality of life, reflected in satisfaction with community life, self-confidence, good health, sufficient income, and the ability to achieve self-reliance.