The Approach for Promoting Sufficency Economy Principles with the Doctrine of Duddhism on Thungkularonghai Community, Kasetwisai District Roi-et Province

Abstract

          The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the promotion of a sufficiency economy with Buddhist principles; 2) to study the economic problems of the Thung Kula Ronghai community, Kaset Wisai District, Roi Et Province; 3) to study the guidelines for promoting the sufficiency economy principles with Buddhist Dhammas in the Thung Kula Ronghai Community. This study was carried out by means of qualitative research based on a descriptive fieldwork study.
          The research results revealed that the Buddhist principles that are consistent with the philosophy of sufficiency economy include Santosa, which is moderation, not too little and not too much without encroaching on oneself and others -production and consumption at a moderate level; the Four Diṭṭhadhammikattha which is rationality-decision making about the level of sufficiency must be reasonable by considering the relevant factors as well as taking into account the expected consequences of such actions carefully; Sammāājīva which is right means of livelihood, awareness of morality, honesty and patience, perseverance and, use of wisdom in life.
          For the community economic problems in the Thung Kula Ronghai area, Kaset Wisai District, Roi Et Province, there were many problems related to (1) poverty caused by overspending, one-way income causing insufficient income to meet expenditures; (2) drought, resource management such as soil, water, forest, problems of agricultural occupation which is affected by the monoculture of Eucalyptus reforestation promotion in a large area making the soil dry as well as not having enough public water sources; (3) pesticides, the use of chemicals to eliminate weeds and pests and, the factors in the area of the villagers in the Thung Kula Ronghai such as the inhibition of natural soil regeneration processes, germination and growth of other plants without proper control measures.
           The guidelines to promote the philosophy of sufficiency economy with Buddhist Dhammas of the Thung Kula Ronghai community can be made in three areas: (1) solving the problem of poverty with the principles of Santosa by focusing on the community to maintain sufficiency in living with honesty, patience, diligence and stability in mind not falling into materialism and consumerism quickly; (2) solving the problem of drought with the principle of the Four Diṭṭhadhammikattha by managing various forms of water management, dredging swamps and making irrigation, etc. and Buddhist tourism; (3) solving chemical problems with the principle of the Sammāājīva by promoting the use of organic fertilizers, reducing the cost of using chemicals for the sustainable development of the quality of life of the Thung Kula Ronghai community.