An Analysis of the Usage of Songs for Enhancing Peace in Thai Society According to Buddhist Peaceful Means

บทคัดย่อ

This article is of 3 objectives: to study Bala in Buddhist Scripture, to analytically
study the usage of songs for inner-peace and outer-peace buildings, and to analytically
study the usage of songs for Enhancing Peace in the Thai Society based on Buddhist
peaceful means – the Five Bala. The research in this article is qualitative done by related
documentary and research studies, selected 5 songs both in English and Thai languages in
analyzing together with an in-depth interview of 5 interviewees as key informants.
The analysis found: 1) Bala in Buddhist Scripture, evidently existed in the
Dhammas of Vara: Blessing (Longevity, Beauty, Happiness, Wealth and Bala) means the
power or strength enable to get rid of the power of the Evil One for living a good life of
utmost and pure performance without any obsession; in the sense of virtue, it is of
virtuous Dhammas that should be cultivated, and Bala, in the same name of “Indariya”,
the mindful practicing to directly reach the final freedom, comprising belief or faith, effort,
mindfulness, concentration and wisdom; and the so-called ‘Bala’ as its meaning is
“power”; for the so-called “Indariya” as its meaning is “being the boss in performing one’s
own duties. 2) In analyzing the usage of songs for inner-peace building and expanding it as
the outer peace, the selected Thai are quite in term of enhancing psychological power to
cheer up the listeners to be awaken from failures and loneliness to fight their lives again
with hope through the power of belief and patience or effort, focusing more on having
concentration and exercising their good view or being more optimistic to reach the power
of wisdom; while the two English songs are emphasized more in term of social benefit
starting firstly from building the inner-peace in individuals before being able to expand it to
the outer for the whole society. 3) In analyzing the usage of songs for enhancing peace in
Thai society based on the Five Bala, the five selected songs: 3 Thai’s of ‘Saddha’,
‘Yayompae’ and ‘Kamlangjai’, and English ones of ‘Imagine’ and ‘We are the World’ are of
great examples of the good songs with encouragement and challenge the hopeless
persons to gain back hope and great mindful- power with effort, mindfulness,
concentration and wisdom. The analysis outcome is the new knowledge of a connection
of the Five Bala and songs as the tools for enhancing peace, and a model of ideal
characteristics of songs for enhancing peace in Thai society based on the Five Bala: in Thai
name is ‘Palang Ha An Yingyai’ matching the “FIVE MEGA BALA” in English.