Abstract:
The objectives of this research are: 1) To analyze the correlation of "the
Sufficiency Economy Community" and "the Sila 5 village" (the Five Precepts
Observation village) in Ubonratchathani, Sisaket, Buriram and Surin; 2) To propose the
integrated model of "the Sufficiency Economy Community" and "the Sila 5 village"
in the areas. The researcher used the qualitative research methodology by defining
the target group of 9 persons including monks, community leaders, the people living
in the sufficiency economy community and the Sila 5 village in the areas. The target
areas were purposively sampled and the tools used for gathering information were
interviews and focus groups of 20 monks and laymen.
This research found that the correlation between"the Sufficiency Economy
Community" and "the Sila 5 village" leads to the sufficiency economy way of life that
is the "benefits and happiness" by applying Buddha Dhamma principle of the
Threefold Training including Sila (precepts), concentration and wisdom basically as the
knowledge covering all aspects of living. This leads to the practice and wisdom
developing a commoner to be magnanimous in behavior, mind and intellectuality as
another means for supporting the country. In addition, this has helped equipping Thai
society with morality and ethics as guided by Buddhism. Furthermore, children,
youths and all other people should be enhanced in applying Buddha Dhamma
teachings to develop their family life, community and society by emphasizing
campaigns and promotions of the Sila 5 village all over the country. In driving the
sufficiency economy and Sila 5 village, it has been focused on solving social problems
at the grassroots level. This research, thus, aims at resolving how the sufficiency
economy community and the Sila 5 village process can be integrated. The principle is
to systematically integrate all mutual and correlated components to sustainably
develop the community relying on the following processes:
The principle of integration for correlating "the Sufficiency Economy
Community" and "the Sila 5 village" is the model of mobilizing all sectors in
strengthening the community that integrate and correlate all networks to efficiently
work together. This also includes the strategies of mobilizing local wisdom, human
resources and all sectors in the community relating to custom, tradition, Buddha
Dhamma principles and other social mechanisms to efficiently apply in developing
the community. The three correlating principles found are:
1. Community knowledge resources including community organizations
andmedia
2. Local wisdom resources including human resources and other
activities
3. Relationships between villages, temples and schools; and community
knowledge resources and local wisdom resources
Through the application of these three principles correlating to each
community context, it will completely enhance the correlation between "the
Sufficiency Economy Community" and "the Sila 5 village".