An Analysis of the Buddhist Peaceful Family

Abstract

This research paper aims to study the current problematic conditions of Thai family, and the ways of building a peaceful family by studying the Tripiṭaka scriptures, online media and related literature review through descriptive analysis presentation. The results found that the current problematic state in Thai families are caused from two reasons: 1. The Internal reason which is caused due to the lack of Dhamma in the family, not practicing the dhamma for household life, and being unfaithful to each other. 2. external reasons are caused by economic and social problems including advanced communication systems and technology. Therefore, these reasons cause family members to become estranged, lack of the familial love, good relationship with each other, making them to earn lower income and leading to serious problems like divorcement in family at the end. The dhamma principles for strengthening the peaceful family must consists of Samajīvidhamma, which is the dhamma for selecting a good spouse namely, equality in faith; moral conduct; generosity and wisdom. Sadara-santosa, the dhamma for enhancing the happiness only in own spouse, being pleased with ones’ own spouse or being pleased with ones’own husband and wife. Diṭṭhadhammikattha, the virtues conductive to benefits in the present and the four Gharavasa-dhamma, the virtues for living a household life as follows: (1) choosing a right spouse, (2) being determined, (3) learning right principles to apply in the family, (4) having basic morality (Sila) to take good care of the family, and (5) paying respect and taking good care of the parents, whereas the abovementioned components are the important foundation for fostering a peaceful Buddhist family.