A Study of Creating Happiness of the Elders’ Lives In the Buddhist way

Abstract

This research is a qualitative one and the interview with three objectives namely: 1. to study the state of problems of the elders in present Thai societies. 2. To study the Buddhist Doctrinal Principles for carrying out the life by the elders in Theravâda Buddhism. 3. To propose the way of creating the happiness to the elders’ lives in the present societies according to the Buddhist way. From the result of the study, it is found that the elders are of 4 problems: the bodily problems, the mental problems, the family and the social problems. The old aged people are of the bodily problems and the mental problems. However, they can solve their problems. The Doctrinal Principles to be used are: the stepping concentration exercise, the training of the Four Actions. The consideration of the eaten foods, the performing of the merits, the giving of the Dânas, and the preserving of the 8 precepts on the Buddhist Holy Day. On the side of the mind, the principles of the un-attachment both at present and the future, the development of Samatha and Vipassanâ in Buddhism are used. On the side of the societies, the Principles of 4 Saõgahavatthus is used. From the study of the problems of the elderlies, it is found that most of them do the bodily exercise by Caõkama Walking, and taking the foods which are easily digested. The elders make merit by offering the foods to the monks and observing the 8 precepts four days in a month. On the side of the societies, the elders can help the societies and can join the activities with the people in the communities with the easy lives without the eagerness about the past and the future.