Application of Buddhadhamma to Promote Public Political Participation in Khu Khot Town Municipality, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study the level of public political participation in Khu Khot Town Municipality, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province according to Buddhadhamma; 2) to study the relationship between Buddhadhamma and the promotion of public political participation in Khu Khot Town Municipality, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province; and 3) to propose guidelines for using Buddhadhamma to promote public political participation in Khukhot Municipality, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province. This was a mixed-methods research combining quantitative research using questionnaires distributed to 396 people. Statistics used in the analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and correlation coefficient, and qualitative research through in-depth interviews with 17 informants, utilizing content analysis. The research findings revealed that 1) the overall level of public political participation in Khu Khot Town Municipality based on Sappurisadhamma 7 was moderate (= 3.05, S.D. = 0.72) the overall level of public political participation in Khu Khot Town Municipality was moderate ( = 3.06, S.D. = 0.70); 2) the overall relationship between Buddhadhamma and the promotion of public political participation in Khu Khot Municipality showed a very high positive correlation (Pearson Correlation, r = 0.826); 3) guidelines for applying Buddhadhamma to promote public political participation in Khu Khot Town Municipality found that (1) opportunities should be provided for people to participate in thinking and decision-making, (2) People should be encouraged to choose leaders who were knowledgeable, capable, and virtuous, (3) people should monitor policies using Buddhadhamma and wisdom, (4) people should be encouraged to participate in activities that benefited society, (5) learning activities about Buddhist principles should be organized, (6) people should be encouraged to use technology, (7) political literacy should be promoted, and internal oversight should be created within the community, (8) people should be encouraged to have Sati (mindfulness) and  comprehension (Smpajanya) and the moral principles of leadership.