The Buddhist Elderly Welfare Model of the Khon Kaen Elderly Social Welfare Development Center

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the Dhamma principles related to Buddhist welfare provision; 2) to study the problems in welfare provision of the Khon Kaen Elderly Social Welfare Development Center; 3) to study the Buddhist elderly welfare model of the Khon Kaen Elderly Social Welfare Development Center. This study was carried out by means of qualitative research by conducting the interviews of 25 key informants. The obtained data were interpreted by the descriptive analysis. The research results were as follows: Dhamma principles related to Buddhist welfare provision: it is the development of quality of life according to the Four Bhāvanā Dhammas: Kāya-bhāvanā, which can be made by physical development activities, walking meditation / meditation activities, Thai music activities, Thai dancing activities, etc.;  Behavioral aspect (precepts), which can be developed by observing the Five Precepts, etc.; Mental aspect which can be developed through meditation to make the quality mind; Intellectual aspect which can be practiced by dhamma listening activities and service activities of the learning center, etc. Problems in welfare provision of the Khon Kaen Elderly Social Welfare Development Center were divided into 4 aspects: personnel management which is a lack of a position of professional nurse; Finance, budget that has been allocated insufficiently for management; Welfare provision, there were restrictions on facilities particularly building; Development of welfare, there is a promotion of learning for the elderly in the community, etc. The Buddhist elderly welfare model of the Khon Kaen Elderly Social Welfare Development Center consisted of 4 models: physical welfare is provided to the elderly through health services, first aid relief, immediate assistance, behavioral welfare (precepts) of the elderly by meeting different age communities to exchange experiences, providing mental welfare for the elderly by enhancing good mental quality, and creating good mental performance, providing intellectual welfare for the elderly through learning and giving advice on how to live with oneself and others.