A Model for Promoting the Quality of an Integrated Buddhist Family

Abstract

This research has three objectives: 1) to study the current condition of the model families in Phayao Province; 2) to study the quality of families in accordance with Buddhist principles; and 3) to propose a model for enhancing the quality of families in Buddhist integration. This is a qualitative research through a documentary study and an in-depth interview with 27 key informants. The data analysis is performed by concluding the results of research work through descriptive writing.

The results of the research show that 1) most family characteristics in Thai society today are nuclear and small families, by this result the only one and two members of families intend to increase. In Phayao Province, there is a change in the number of structures of family sizes and population numbers. In the past, there were extended families. Today, there are nuclear families. In addition, there are cross-generation families, where the grandparents and their grandchildren live together. 2) The quality of the families according to Buddhism has two factors: (1) those that create a generally desirable family quality consists of having parents as role model, having the principle of co-existence of members in the family, having a solution to problems, and sharing mutual learning; (2) the family quality according to Buddhism are namely access to religion, understanding of doctrines, and making use of the Buddhism. 3) Two models for enhancing the quality of families as the Buddhist integration are as follows: 1) enhancing family quality in terms of security in order to prevent quarrels, violence, and divorce in the following guidelines: 1.1 selection of spouses according to Samajīvidhamma, the qualities which make a couple well matched by considering character, age, maturity, physical health, mental and emotional health, beliefs, behavior, sacrifice, and intelligence in such a way of being equal or similar; 1.2 the study and understand of good principles for the family by following a good example and obeying the advice of parents; 1.3 having a confidence according to Dhamma for the householder, namely sincerity, patience, tolerance, and sharing; 1.4 having respect, humility and obedience, taking care of parents, helping businesses, lightening the burden, maintaining family reputation, and having a good character; and 2) enhancing the quality of families in terms of wealth in order to solve poverty according to the principle of Diṭṭhadhammikattha which consists of being diligent, keeping assets, making good friends, and living a sufficiency life according to the philosophy of sufficiency economy. The body of knowledge is that 1) the model of proposing the family quality in term of security in life through integration of Buddhist principles and the concepts of experts who succeed in their family life; 2) the model of proposing the family quality in term of wealth by applying the Dhamma for creating prosperity, richness, and the solution to family economic problems.