BUDDHIST VISION OF A NEW WAY OF BUILDING LEADERSHIP IN THE ELDERLY SOCIETY IN UBON RATCHATHANI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research titled “Buddhist Vision of a New Way of Building Leadership in the Elderly Society in Ubon Ratchathani Province” included 3 objectives as follows: 1) to study the leadership in the elderly society in Ubon Ratchathani Province; 2) to enhance leadership model in the elderly society following the new way of Buddhist vision; and 3) to integrate the leadership model following the new way of Buddhist vision. Results of this research were as follows. 1) For the leadership in the elderly society in Ubon Ratchathani Province, it originated from gatherings of the elderly in communities through various activities leading to the process of building leadership among the elderly. Concrete organizations established were the elderly clubs implementing two activities a month. The club committee included the elected chairperson, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, and committee members. Experts from government sector and other organizations were invited to participate, provide, and share knowledge and experience on healthcare of the elderly. 2) Regarding the enhancement of leadership model for the elderly following the new way of Buddhist vision, leadership model creation in caring the elderly, and potential increase of the roles of community leaders included strengthening promotion and support for the participation of the community in caring the elderly through Dhamma principles of the Buddhists including: being the source of socialization tool for self-learning; and equipping creative qualifications of self-value focusing on mental and intellectual development. According to the Buddhist principles, Bhavana (development) could be divided into 2 levels including: Samatha-bhavana or tranquility development; and Vipassana-bhavana or insight training for developing intellectual in order to understand things as they are. The training, thus, defined their life direction towards self-sufficient living with one’s own identity and adaptability of oneself in various changing circumstances from outside the community. The process of increasing potentials included: 1) strengthening the community organization through having networks for enhancing civil society and the strengths of the community; 2) preserving the pattern, thought and value of right consciousness of the community; 3) enhancing learning and sharing process through networking with external organizations to develop the strengths of the community as a model.