The Development of Holistic Peaceful Well-Being of the Elderly by Buddhist Peaceful Means: A Case Study of Sawai Subdistrict, Prangku District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

The objective of the study was to study and analyze the problem context of needs, concepts, theories, and practices of the development of holistic peace for the elderly according to modern science and Buddhist principles of peaceful in Sawai Subdistrict, Prangku District, Sisaket Province. The study used Action research and study of documents and research works as well as in-depth interviews with 35 key-informants for holistic peace development of the elderly by Buddhist peaceful means.

From the study findings indicated that: 1) From exploring the problems and context of the elderly's needs in Sawai Subdistrict, it has been discovered that the problems include a lack of policy clarity, a lack of information, and a lack of elderly healthcare promotion. The majority of the elderly will have congenital diseases induced by their age. Concerning the elderly's needs, they include: family support and less reliance on others, social needs involving community participation. 2) The findings have found that there are 4 dimensions for the development of holistic peaceful well-being for the elderly which are: 1) Physical well-being; 2) Mental well-being; 3) Social well-being; and 4) Intellectual and spiritual well-being. Trisikkhā (the Threefold Learning) is the Dhamma that can support and suit the development of the elderly's holistic peaceful well-being through Buddhist peaceful means. 3) The development of holistic peaceful well-being of the elderly by Buddhist peaceful means of Sawai Subdistrict, Prangku District, Sisaket Province the 5G model comprises as follows: 1) Good healthy; 2) Good behavior; 3) Good mind; 4) Good realization; and 5) Good aging society.