The Development of Buddhist Health Statute for Promoting Local Community Health Care

Abstract

The objectives of this research are to study the composition and the Buddhist health statute, to study the process and practical guideline of Buddhist health statute of the model temple, and to present a development form of Sangha health statute of model temple suitable for community. It was qualitative research done by documentary and in-depth interview. The research tool was a type of in-depth interview. The research results were found that; 1) the composition and practical approach of Buddhist health statute contain the following problems, Sangha’s habits, nutrition, physic, mentality, responsibility of Bhikkhus’ health, environment and health management inside monastery, participation and supporting, 2) The model process and practical guideline of the Buddhist health statute of the model temple, namely, the integrated process of Bhikkhus’ health care with the public health system, roles of local government for encouraging Sangha health, and the management process of the monks’ health care together with their partners, 3) a development model for enhancing the Sanghas’ well-being based on the Buddhist way with integrating community health for good quality of life, contains following elements: (1) Tisikkha or Three Training principle, (2) Health care according to the public health system, namely, health promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, (3) participatory management process, (4) good health of Sangha, 4) The gained knowledge found that the model of process and practical guideline of the Buddhist health statute of the model temple must focus on the problem of Sangha’s health promotion, roles of monasteries, communities and government agencies who are responsible for Bhikkhus’ well-being management. It should be integrated with the Three Trainings teaching and health care principle of the public health system which will surely provide the good quality of life for Buddhist Sangha.