The Buddhist Approach to Poverty Reduction : A Study of Agricultural Community Based on King’s Philosophy

Abstract

This research article focused on 1) to study the concept and theories to solve the problem of poverty, 2) to study the process to solve the poverty problem of agricultural communities according to the Kingís Philosophy and 3) to analyze the Buddhist approach to poverty reduction of the agricultural community based on the Kingís Philosophy.This study was a qualitative research with in-depth interviews, participant observation and group discussions from agricultural communities under the operation of the Royal Initiative Project of King Rama IX. 

The research found that 1) the concept and theories to solve the problem of poverty; depend on adopting the principles of Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for a vital element of the National Economic and Social Development Plan, and create to reduce inequalities, the concept of Buddhist economics and ways to self-reliance and livelihood 2) the process to solve the poverty problem of agricultural communities based on the Kingís Philosophy, achieved by applying to work tips of King Rama IX in 3 way : (1) understanding oneís social landscape (Understanding) (2) analyzing oneís own community (Accessibility) (3) Developing oneís own poverty (Development) and 3) the Buddhist approach to poverty reduction of the agricultural community based on the Kingís Philosophy, achieved by applying to Buddhist principles of as: the principle of Four Noble Truths to understand the causes of poverty, the principle of Santosa to improve quality of life according to Sufficiency Economy, and the principle of Ditthadhammikattha to integrate the role of 9 levels of development for local economy.