BUDDHIST METHODS FOR PROMOTING RECONCILIATION AMONG PEOPLE BY COMMUNITY LEADERS AT MAE MO DISTRICT IN LAMPANG PROVINCE

Abstract

Objectives of this research article were: 1. To study the level of reconciliation and harmony among the people in Mae Mo District, Lampang Province; 2. To examine the relationship between the principles of Saraniyadhamma and reconciliation and harmony among the people in Mae Mo District, Lampang Province; and 3. To present Buddhist methods for promoting reconciliation and harmony among community by leaders in Mae Mo District, Lampang Province, conducted by the mixed research methods. The quantitative research using questionnaires with a reliability coefficient of 0.948. distributed to 392 samples, derived from17,601 eligible voters in Mae Mo District, Lampang Province using Taro Yamane’s formula. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The qualitative research, data were collected by in-depth interviewing 10 key informants and analyzed using descriptive content interpretation.

The research findings revealed that: 1. The overall level of reconciliation and harmony among the people of Mae Mo District, Lampang Province, was high ( = 3.76). 2. A statistically significant positive correlation between the principles of Saraniyadhamma and reconciliation and harmony among the people of Mae Mo District, Lampang Province was found at the 0.01 level, indicating a very high level of significance, and 3. Buddhist methods for promoting harmony and reconciliation among people by community leaders in Mae Mo District, Lampang Province, were found to be: 1. Mettagayakamma; compassionate physical actions, by expressing kindness and respect; 2. Metta Vacikamma;C compassionate verbal actions, by using respectful language and listening rationally; 3. Metta Manokamma; compassionate mental actions, by emphasizing the importance of thinking positively towards one another; 4. Sadharanapoki; public sharing, by organizing collaborative activities that benefit the community; 5. Silasamanyata; commonality of morality, by fostering understanding and awareness of community rules; and 6. Tititisamanyata; commonality of views, where leaders demonstrate adherence to correct principles. The key takeaway from the research is: Act well, have a civic-minded attitude, respect the rules, and work towards a common goal.