Integrating Buddhist Principles to Promote People’s Quality of Life of Nong Yaeng Subdistrict Municipality at San Sai District in Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1) study the level of quality of life promotion for the citizens by the Nong Yaeng Subdistrict Municipality, San Sai District, Chiang Mai Province; 2) compare the promotion of quality of life classified by personal factors; and 3) propose guidelines for integrating Buddhist principles to enhance the quality of life of the citizens in the area. This mixed-method research utilized a quantitative approach with a sample group of 377 residents. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed through frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and hypothesis testing using F-tests. The qualitative part involved in-depth interviews with 9 key informants and employed content analysis.

The research findings revealed that: 1) The overall level of promoting the  quality of life of the people of Nong Yaeng Subdistrict Municipality, San Sai District, Chiang Mai Province, according to the 4 principles of meditation, and the overall level of promoting the quality of life of the people is at a high level; 2) when comparing the promotion of quality of life based on personal factors, it was found that educational level significantly affected the quality of life promotion at the 0.05 level of statistical significance, thus accepting the research hypothesis. However, gender, age, occupation, and income did not show significant differences overall and in terms of the Four Bhavana principles, resulting in the rejection of the research hypothesis. 3) integration Buddhist principles to enhance quality of life include: (1) Kaya-bhavana– physical development through public health training and promoting exercise; (2) Citta-bhavana – mental development through meditation and art therapy to improve mental well-being; (3) Sila-bhavana – moral development by organizing ethical training and community safety measures to foster social discipline and order; and (4) Panya-bhavana – wisdom development through accessible information dissemination and building collaborative networks for sustainable community development.