THE INTEGRATION OF THE BUDDHIST DOCTRINES TO THE NEW THEORY AGRICULTURE CONCERNING TO THE KING’S PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

This research has 3 objectives: 1) to study the new theory agriculture concerning to the King’s Philosophy. 2) to study the Buddhist doctrines promoting the new theory agriculture concerning to the King’s Philosophy. 3) to integrate of the Buddhist doctrines to the new theory agriculture concerning to the King’s Philosophy. It is a qualitative research.

          The research found that:

          1) The New Theory of Agriculture is the royal initiative which His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX, gave to Thai farmers to improve their quality of lives by management of soil and water resources for agriculture in a small land for maximum benefit. This is way of an average risk of low-priced products, financial crisis and natural disasters. It is the sufficiency economy production process based on self-reliance without destroying the natural environment, systematic implementation plan and supporting the strength in the community 2) The Buddhist doctrines promoting the new theory agriculture are (1) Nathakarama-dhamma 10 (10 virtues which make for protection) promoting self-reliance; (2) Sangahavatthu 4 (4 bases of social solidarity, virtues making for group integration and leadership) promoting combination power; (3) Suppurisa-dhamma 7 (7qualities of a good man; virtues of a gentleman)   3) promoting development The Integration of the Buddhist doctrines to the New theory agriculture concerning to the King’s Philosophy can be divided as follows: 1) Dimension of self-reliance – the farmers are diligent, patient, self-sufficient, conscious, and able to work with respect for the nature and the environments. 2) Dimension of combination power - the farmers can share, help, and work together with warmth, generosity, honesty, supporting community and focusing on participation in community. 3) Dimension of development - the farmers are confident in what they are doing, able to have clear goals and know how to manage the area to make the most benefit, able to know how to increase the value of agricultural products, able to live moderately, able to know the proper time, able to know the communities and respect the opinions of others as well.