ANALYTICAL STUDY OF BELIEFS RESULTING TO ENVIRONMENT OF MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY’S PERSONNEL BASED ON THERAVĀDA BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis were as follows: 1) to study the beliefs affecting an environment, 2) to study the principles of beliefs according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy, and 3) to propose the way of beliefs that affect the environment of Mahidol University’s personnel according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy. 443 samples were used in the study. The data were analyzed by descriptive method and multiple regression statistics.
The results of research were found that:
1) The beliefs according to the concept of Mahidol University’s personnel to the environment could be divided into 4 categories; (1) the belief in making merit about releasing animal life has the average value in the middle level, (2) the belief in traditions has the average value at the middle level, (3) the belief in talismans has the average value in the low level, and (4) the belief in hunting and consuming wildlife meat has the average in the least level.
2) The level of a factor influencing on the natural environment of Mahidol University’s personnel according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy with the statistical significance level at 0.05 has 1 level including beliefs in hunting and consuming wild life meat. The level of a factor influencing on the natural environment of Mahidol University’s personnel according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy with the statistical significance level at 0.05 has 2 levels including beliefs in both hunting and consuming wildlife meat and talismans.
3) The belief that affects the environment of the Mahidol University’s personnel according to Theravada Buddhist philosophy is ranging from medium to low. And it affects both the natural environment and manmade environment. The opinions in the open-ended questionnaire revealed that releasing animals was to gain merit but environment impacts and natural balance should be considered for the released animals. These beliefs are correspondent with susceptible faith in Theravada Buddhist philosophy.