THE WELL-BEING PROMOTION ACCORDING TO THE BHĀVANĀ 4 PRINCIPLE FOR THE ELDERLY OF SANGHAS IN DONSAI SUB-DISTRICT, PAKTHO DISTRICT, RATCHABIRI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were (1) to study the level of well-being promotion according to the Bhāvanā 4 for the elderly of Sangha in Donsai Sub-District, Paktho District, Ratchabiri Province, (2) to compare the well-being promotion according to the Bhāvanā 4 for the elderly of Sangha in Donsai Sub-District, Paktho District, Ratchabiri Province by classifying according to personal factors and (3) to study problems, obstacles and suggestions for well-being promotion according to the Bhāvanā 4 for the elderly of Sangha in Donsai Sub-District, Paktho District, Ratchabiri Province. The research methodology was a mixed method research. In part of quantitative research, a questionnaire was used as a tool to collect field data from 384 people who were over 18 years old and domiciled in Don Sai Sub-district, and data was analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, hypothesis testing by t-test, F-test, one-way ANOVA and in part of qualitative research, document analysis and interview forms were used as the tools to collect field data from 9 key informants and analyzed the data using contextual content analysis techniques. The results showed that;  1) The level of well-being promotion according to the Bhāvanā 4 principle for the elderly of Sangha in Donsai Sub-District, Paktho District, Ratchabiri Province, in general, the practice was at high level and when considering individually, it was found that the practice with high level in all 4 aspects, namely, Kāya-bhāvanā, Paññā-bhāvanā, Citta-bhāvanā and Sīla bhāvanā. 2) The comparative results of well-being promotion according to the Bhāvanā 4 principle for the elderly of Sangha in Donsai Sub-District, Paktho District, Ratchabiri Province by classifying according to personal factors, it was found that personal factors such as gender had opinions towards the well-being promotion according to the Bhāvanā 4 principle for the elderly of Sangha in Donsai Sub-District, Paktho District, Ratchabiri Province was no difference therefore, the research hypothesis was rejected. As for ages, educations, careers and incomes, it was showed that opinions towards well-being promotion according to the Bhāvanā 4 principle for the elderly of Sangha in Donsai Sub-District, Paktho District, Ratchabiri Province was difference therefore, the research hypothesis was accepted. 3) The problems and obstacles such as lack of screening tests for health risks, lack of participation in physical activities, lack of adequate sleep, lack of knowledge and understanding of Buddhist morality and virtues, lack of elderly network, no meditation activities to relieve stress and anxiety, lack of participation in listening to Buddhist teaching, praying and practicing mindfulness and suggestions were to provide knowledge about diet and exercise according to the doctor's advice, establish an elderly club to build an elderly network, organize meditation activities for healing mind and should know how to solve problems.