Contentment : Special Guidance for Nawawithi

Abstract

Thailand having entered the capitalism, Focusing on objects as a confirmation of credibility, social status, under consumerism. “Money” is important and becomes the goal for living. The nature of consumerism is chasing social trends adopting the external culture and technology without truly understanding the idea that “Happiness is obtained through consumption.  More you consume, the happier you are.” Therefore, they spend extravagantly, eventually suffered from debt. When the Covid-19crisis outbreaks, many businesses have to reduce their size or even close down. As its result, many people have lost their incomes, unable to support themself and their family. It causes difficult to living of people. They are almost worries, stresses, self-harm and doing suicide. Therefore, the adoption of Buddhist principles is the best solution to this situation.

Contentment is a Buddhist principle Preaching the pleasure and satisfaction and sufficiency. It there are 3 characteristics: being pleased with what has got be oneself not struggling to gain with troublesome. Being glad according to their strength, such as knowledge and ability. Being pleased according to their position, sufficiency to be fulfil and share appropriately. On the third contentment’s characteristic it must be fair, not corrupt and deceitful. The performance according to contentment is classifies into 4 items: 1. Contentment in thought that is not to desire too much this and that or in the wrong way. 2. Contentment in earning. Thai is earning a suitable and consuming on one’s ability. 3. Contentment in receiving that is to receive only what should be received and moderation. 4. Contentment in consumption, that is to consume what is acquired in moderation, with rational following purpose. Actually that consumption must be done for the relief of suffering, happiness, no suffering and not being a slave of objects.