Guidelines for Promoting the Preservation of the Eight Precepts of Buddhists of the Temple in the Administrative Area of the Sangha, Bang Khanun Subdistrict, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

This article aims to study the Uposatha precepts in Theravada Buddhist scriptures, to study the problems of the Uposatha precepts of Buddhists in temples under the administration of the Sangha of Bangkhun Sub-district, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province, and to study the guidelines for promoting the Uposatha precepts of Buddhists in temples under the administration of the Sangha of Bangkhun Sub-district, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province. This research is a qualitative research by conducting in-depth interviews with key informants, namely, Group 1: the abbot and assistant abbot, 6 monks, and Group 2: the practitioners who observe the Uposatha precepts, 9 people, totaling 15 monks/persons. The research results found that:

1. Uposatha precepts refer to the practices or regulations that must be followed on the day of entering the temple, namely the precepts that must be taken and observed on the Uposatha days, which are the 8th, 14th, and 15th of the waning moon, consisting of 8 elements that lay people who are householders want to practice and maintain better.

2. The number of people who observe the Uposatha precepts in Thai society today has decreased. Because of the lack of knowledge and understanding in observing the Uposatha precepts, some are old and have passed away. Some have health problems. Some are busy with their duties because they are still working. Traveling is inconvenient. Children do not take care of them. Today's society does not care about sins and virtues. There is a loss of faith from the unorthodox behavior of monks as seen in various media. There is a lack of personnel to provide knowledge and advice on how to behave, so it cannot be seriously and effectively observed. Therefore, it is necessary to rely on the Sangha to support, publicize, and promote each temple to organize activities to observe the Uposatha precepts as a model for observing the Uposatha precepts.

3. Guidelines for promoting the observance of the Uposatha precepts There should be knowledge and training in skills in spreading Buddhism to monks to be more effective. Focus on instilling in the new generation to observe the Uposatha precepts. Publicize the benefits or merits to attract young people to observe the Uposatha precepts and to continue the life of Buddhism.