Principles of Preparation to be Elderly with the Principles of Bhävanà 4

Abstract

This research aims to study the art of living with the happiness of the elderly in Chiang Rai Province and to analyze the preparation to become an elderly with Bhävanà 4 principles. This study is qualitative research using an in-depth interview with 66 key informants who are elderly people aged 70-79 years old from 11 communities in Chiang Rai Province. Content analysis is used to analyze the qualitative data.

The results showed that the respondents are mostly female. They all believe in Buddhism, regularly participate in religious activities, enjoy social work, have their own business or family business, and work in farmland outside the city.

The preparation to become an elderly person with Bhävanà 4 principles for those who are working and becoming elderly. They can choose to apply all or any aspect of the Bhävanà 4 principles which is proper to develop their positive way of thinking and behavior in living and working. The principles include; 1) Kaya Bhävanà: negligence in oneself in order to not misbehave, 2) Sila Bhävanà: building social bonds and living a life in the ways that bring normalcy to life, 3) Jitta Bhävanà: obtaining the right practices from the good practitioners according to religious principles, preserving to reduce suffering and increase self-happiness, 4) Panya Bhävanà: having consciousness and wisdom as a tool to regulate and consider, and cultivation of wisdom, which is the way to good behavior in life and work. These are happiness practices that are valuable to human life.