An Integrated Buddhist Mechanism to Promote Self-Esteem among Elderly Volunteer Groups in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand

Abstract

The research entitled “An integrated Buddhist mechanism to promote self-esteem among elderly volunteer groups in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand” has three objectives: 1) to study activities and Buddhist principles that promote the value of the elderly in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, 2) to develop participatory Buddhist-integrated activities to enhance self-esteem among elderly volunteers in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, and 3) to expand the impact of participatory Buddhist-integrated activities to enhance self-esteem among elderly volunteers in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province. This is mixed-methods research that combined documentary research aimed at analyzing Buddhist-integrated mechanisms that promote self-esteem among elderly volunteers in the Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, and qualitative research by using in-depth interviews with 15 key informants and focus group discussions with 9 elderly volunteers, including elderly club members, community leaders, and elderly volunteers in the area who were selected. Action research was conducted by collecting data from 25 participants in Buddhist-integrated activities aimed at enhancing self-esteem among elderly volunteers in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province; the data was recorded to explain before and after the activities. The research findings indicate that, 1) the implementation of activities to create a space that ensures honesty and sincerity in working together found that studying activities and Buddhist principles resulted in the elderly feeling like part of the community. Promoting self-esteem can be achieved by supporting the elderly volunteer groups in having opportunities to make decisions and participate in managing various activities. The research outcomes were indicated by applying the Four Brahmaviharas, the Four Bases of Spiritual Power, and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, helping the elderly manage daily life problems to promote mental well-being, self-esteem, and happiness in daily life. 2) The development of participatory Buddhist-integrated activities to promote self-esteem among the volunteer elderly group in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, found that the implementation of activities led to effective learning encompassing physical, mental, intellectual, and social well-being. The elderly gained more self-esteem and enjoyed a variety of activities, as follows: Activity 1: Dhamma Awakening, Activity 2: Buddhist Mindfulness, and Activity 3: Elderly Volunteer Power for Happiness. 3) The expansion of the participatory Buddhist-integrated activities to enhance the self-esteem of volunteer seniors in Sam Phran District, Nakhon Pathom Province, revealed that the approach to expanding the activities promoting self-esteem among the senior volunteer group resulted in the senior gaining skills learned from the activities. The activities of teaching mindfulness practice and ensuring continuity and ease of understanding, making the seniors feel more valued. The seniors received encouragement to avoid negligence in life and provided positive feedback, expressing a desire for more sessions. The expansion of Buddhist mechanisms for senior activities to other districts in Nakhon Pathom Province and other provinces is a strong and important network-building effort to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices in developing activities for seniors. The main steps are as follows: 1) Building understanding and participation 2) Developing activities according to Buddhist principles 3) Networking with various organizations 4) Monitoring and evaluation 5) Continuous publicity and expansion.