The Development Sup-Pa-Ya Place Contributing to The Dharma Practice of The Mindfulness Institute for Peace Prang Ku District, Srisaket Province

Abstract

The research article consists of the following objectives: 1) to study the contexts and needs that are conducive to the meditation practice of Mindfulness Institute for Peace; 2) to develop Sappāya conducive to the meditation practice according to modern science and Theravada Buddhism; and 3) to propose the development of Sappāya conducive to the meditation practice of Mindfulness Institute for Peace. The study applied research and development method by collecting data from in-depth interview with those who utilize the place and experts, in a total of 48 persons. The focus group discussion was conducted with 12 experts. The research instruments were in-depth interview form and focus group discussion. The acquired data were analyzed by way of content analysis. The results of the research are as follows: 1) The contexts and needs refer to the community and most villagers who agree to have the Mindfulness Institute for Peace with an emphasis on the sustainable management; 2) The development of Sappāya conducive to the meditation practice of Mindfulness Institute for Peace according to the modern science and Theravada Buddhism consists of (1) Āvāsa-sappāya (suitable abode), (2) Bhojana (suitable food), (3) Puggala (suitable person), and (4) Dhamma (suitable dhamma); and 3) A model for the development of Sappāya conducive to the meditation practice of Mindfulness Institute for Peace must comprise the four Sappāya which will result in Bhāvanā or the four kinds of development upon the practitioners as follows: (1) Kāya refers to those with physical development will know how to eat, live, watch, and listen correctly, (2) Sīla refers to those with moral development will be able to live and interact with others; (3) Citta refers to those with emotional development, and (4) Paññā refers to those with intellectual development. All of these will lead to a sustainable development resulting in a center for all ages to have mindfulness to live in the future.