Youth Development according to the Threefold Learning: A Case Study of Youth in Ban Hua Wiang Nuea, Fai Kaeo Subdistrict, Phu Phiang District, Nan Province

Abstract

The purpose of this article was: 1) to study the problems of Youth in Ban Hua Wiang Nuea, Fai Kaeo Subdistrict, Phu Phiang District, Nan Province; 2) to study the concept of youth development according to Buddhism; and 3) to propose a guideline for youth development according to the Threefold Learning: a case study of Youth in Ban Hua Wiang Nuea, Fai Kaeo Subdistrict, Phu Phiang District, Nan Province. This research was qualitative research, studying data from documents and fieldwork, interviewing 25 key informants. Data was analyzed by descriptive content methods. 

The research revealed that: problems of youth of Ban Hua Wiang Nuea in 6 areas were: (1) Education, educational inequality and teacher shortage; (2) Health, stress from studying; (3) Environment, air pollution problems; (4) Participation, youths tended to be in front of computer screens or mobile phone screens more than they were involved in society; (5) Economics, parents were the ones who earn money and support the youths, economy was directly under parents’ control; and (6) Violence, youths were not violent in the community. The concept of youth development according to the Threefold Learning should develop all three areas: morality, concentration, and wisdom, to train discipline, develop emotions, and abilities to learn to solve problems in daily life. The guidelines for youth development according to the Threefold Learning of the youth of Ban Hua Wiang Nuea should include training as follows: (1) Morality, training in discipline and controlling behavior to be moral, respecting rules and regulations, and living with others with kindness and without causing harm; (2) Concentration, training the mind to be calm, stable, mindful, and focused in learning and making decisions with reason; (3) Wisdom, developing thinking, analyzing, distinguishing right from wrong, and using reason in making decisions, being able to solve problems creatively and mindfully.