BUDDHIST INTEGRATION FOR STRENGTHENING YOUTH’S VALUES AGAINST CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL MISCONDUCT IN LAMPANG PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) Study the level of value enhancement among youth; 2) Examine the relationship between value enhancement among youth and the prevention of political corruption and misconduct; and 3) Propose an integrated Buddhist approach to enhancing youth values for combating political corruption and misconduct in Lampang Province. The research employed a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative research used a questionnaire with an overall reliability coefficient of 0.916. Data were collected from 398 youth aged 18 - 25 years in Lampang Province, covering all 13 districts. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient. The qualitative research employed in-depth interviews with 12 key informants, and the data were analyzed using descriptive content analysis. The findings revealed that: 1) The overall level of youth values in combating political corruption and misconduct in Lampang Province was moderate ( = 3.39, S.D. = 0.42); 2) The Four Sammappadhānas (Four Right Efforts) were positively correlated with youth values in combating political corruption and misconduct at a moderate level (R = 0.731**), with statistical significance at the 0.01 level; and 3) The integration of Buddhist principles to enhance youth values in combating political corruption and misconduct in Lampang Province consisted of the Four Sammappadhānas: 1) Saṃvarappadhāna, the effort to prevent unwholesome states; 2) Pahānappadhāna, the effort to abandon unwholesome states; 3) Bhāvanāppadhāna, the effort to cultivate and develop wholesome states; and 4) Anurakkhaṇappadhāna, the effort to maintain and preserve wholesome states. Integrating these principles into the development of youth values can contribute to a comprehensive process of cultivating morality and ethical awareness among youth.