A Study of Strategies for Preventing and Solving the Problems of Ways to Ruins according to the Buddhism

Abstract

This article was a part of the thesis entitled “A Study of Skillful Means for Preventing and Solving the Problem of Ways to Ruins according to Buddhism” aiming at; 1) study the ways to ruins in the Buddhist scriptures, 2) study the problems and the effects of the ways to ruins on oneself and society, and 3) study the skillful means for preventing and solving the problem of ways to ruins according to Buddhism. It was qualitative research. The research results revealed that Apāyamukkha means the way to ruins or vice, caused by unwholesome mind leading to immoral deeds with defilement, influencing to failed lifestyle and the collapsed society. This vice consists of 6 themes: 1) addiction to intoxicants, 2) unseemly nightlife roaming, 3) frequenting shows, 4) gambling indulgence, 5) association with bad companions, 6) habit of idleness at work. The problem and the effects caused by the ways of ruins that create individual problems are health deteriorating, wealth lost, slavery of the vice, mischief, etc., and social problems including poverty, broken family, failed society, etc. The skillful means of preventing and solving the problems of the way to ruins in accordance with the Buddhism in today’s society include strengthening and knowledge cultivation by recognizing  its advantages and dangers of all vices, training oneself to be mindful, holding moral shame and moral dread while mistaking, oneself maintenance in the right way, abandoning  enjoyment on the ways to ruins, right livelihood, and honest work in body, speech, and mind, fulfillment of one’s self with the three trainings; morality, concentration and wisdom in order to create safeguard for oneself, family plans of arrangements and social contributions.