A study of the Meditation practitioners’ quality of life at Wat Thanyawat, Nong Kaeo subdistrict, Mueang Roi Et district, Roi Et province

Abstract

         The study entitled “A Study of the Meditation Practitioners’ Quality of Life
at Wat Thanyawat, Nong kaeo Subdistrict, Mueang Roi Et District, Roi Et Province.”
Consisted of following objectives: 1) To investigate the quality of life development
based on Buddhism; 2) To explore the current situation of meditation practitioners at
Wat Thanyawat, Nong kaeo Subdistrict, Mueang Roi Et District, Roi Et Province; and 3)
To propose the guidelines for developing the meditation practitioners’ quality of life
at Wat Thanyawat, Nong kaeo Subdistrict, Mueang Roi Et District, Roi Et Province. The
study used a qualitative research method that included documentary research and a
file work study. Purposive sampling was used to choose the key informants, which
included 20 people. The findings of the study can be concluded as follows:
         1) The quality of life development based on Buddhism includes the
following four aspects: (1) physical development; (2) moral development in order to
be discipline physically, verbally, and mentally; (3) emotional development in order
to be mentally stable; and (4) wisdom development in order to see things as they
are.
         2) From analyzing the current situation of meditation practitioners at Wat
Thanyawas, Nong Kaeow Subdistrict, Mueang Roi Et District. Roi Et Province, the
results are found as follows: (1) The quality of life prior to meditation practice, the
practitioners did not want to join the Sangha because of their old age, poor physical
and mental health, preference for material possessions over the mind, lack of
morality and loving-kindness, reliance on unwholesome means for problem-solving,
and lack of a spiritual anchor; (2) The practitioners’ quality of life improved as a
result of their meditation practice, as they were able to join the Sangha and improve
their meditation performance, nurture their morality and solving-kindness, and have
overall better mental health; and (3) The quality of life development of meditation
practice includes the contemplation of the physical body, which aims for good
health and good conduct, discipline both physically and verbally, commitment to
practice on a regular basis, and alleviation of their sufferings.
         3) The guidelines for developing the meditation practitioners’ quality of life
include the following: physical aspect by organizing activities that allow practitioners
to increase their meditation time and the practitioners should make an effort to
meditate; moral aspect by training the mind to by free from defilements and leading
life with mindfulness; emotional aspect by cultivating practitioners’ wisdom,
awareness, patience, and integrity; and wisdom aspect by teaching practitioners how
to deal with problems using wisdom, see things as they really are, reach the ultimate
goal of Buddhism.