A Study and Compare of Best Practices under the Five Precepts Village Project among Buddhists in the Central and Northeastern Regions: A Case Study of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and Sakon Nakhon Province

Abstract

This research aims to study and compare the best practices of the Five Precepts Village Project of Buddhists in the Central and Northeastern regions: a case study of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and Sakon Nakhon province. The population consists of Buddhists in the Central and Northeastern regions. The sample groups of 400 participants each from Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and Sakon Nakhon province. Simple random sampling using a lottery method was employed to select sub-districts, districts, and villages, while purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 100 people from each village. The research tools for data collection include: 1) Questionnaires: Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics, including an independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. 2) Interviews: for which Purposive sampling was used to select 24 people from each province. The research findings indicate that the self-conduct in accordance with to the Five Precepts Village Project among the Krung Thep Maha Nakhon sample group was at a high level (  = 4.00), with the most practiced topic being abstaining from sexual misconduct. Similarly, the Sakon Nakhon sample group also showed a high level of practice (  = 4.06), with the most practiced topic being prioritizing public benefit. For both sample groups, there was no significant difference in self-conduct based on gender. However, there was a statistically significant difference at the .05 level for at least one pair of groups when analyzed by age, marital status, highest education level, and occupation. The greatest difference was found in the age variable regarding health care. The most similar aspects for both marital status and education level were in the areas of educational support, public assistance, preserving good culture, and the principle of unity.