HEALTH ENHANCEMENT ACCORDING TO 5 PRECEPTS OF ELDERLY IN SUB-DISTRICT, MAETAENG DISTRICT, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

            The objectives of this thesis were as follows; 1) to study problems and obstacles in enhancing health of elderly in Khilek sub-district, Maetaeng district, Chiang Mai province, 2) to study 5 precepts for enhancing health of the elderly in Khilek sub-district, Maetaeng district, Chiang Mai province, and 3) to study guidelines for health enhancement according to 5 precepts of the elderly in Khilek sub-district, Maetaeng District, Chiang Mai province. The target group consisted of 15 elderly people in Khilek sub-district, mayor, sub-district headman and community developer by purposive selection from Senior School, Khilek sub-district, Maetaeng district, Chiang Mai province. Tool for data collection was in-depth interview and data were analyzed in descriptive manner.  

               The results of research were found that:

               The elderly had problems in enhancing their physical and mental health, society and intellect .Food was essential in keeping body, mind, society and intellect healthy and strong. Economic condition played a role in promoting healthy consumption. Contacts related to the physical environment were beneficial and harmless. Good mood and happy mind enabled to live with others, family, friends colleagues and neighbors. In case of illness, they helped them recover from illness faster. The elderly gained knowledge, opinions and an accurate understanding of life and the world as they were and they were able to live normally with reality of the world and life.

               The practice of 5 precepts in enhancing health of elderly at present had made the elderly to practice the 5 precepts. They understood life better and developed themselves to be modern and kept up with the world. They were made respectful people with potential to help the community. They spent no free time in vain and they regularly exercised. The elderly could carefully spend the rest of their lives.

               Guidelines for enhancing health according to the 5 principles of the elderly still needed to rely on the principles of activities/projects related to Buddhist activities as mental anchor for participants in the activities according to their beliefs of Buddhism including the implementation of local culture that had been passed down as a mechanism in driving to be consistent with the beliefs and way of life of the community by relying on the temple as a place of operation. This was to develop and enhance the health of the elderly as well as relying on local culture to carry out activities such as Dhamma training programs for Buddhist laymen and the general public. Activities on important Buddhist days such as  Buddhist chanting over the year and midnight alms by relying on local wisdom including learning Lanna language, herbal medicine textbook, cooking and eating local food, handicrafts and etc. as earlier mentioned became the guidelines to enhance good health for all elderly people.

Keywords: Health enhancement, 5 precepts, Elderly