ABSTRACT

          This research aimed to study and compare the beliefs about merits and de-merits in Buddhism held by inmates of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Central Prison, classified by gender, age, status, levels of education, and types. The research was divided into two parts. Part 1 involved documentary research by analyzing such beliefs from the Tipitaka (Main Scripture), Atthakatha (Commentaries), Tika(Sub-commentaries), Anutika (Sub-sub-commentaries), and related documents. Part 2 dealt with survey research with the population of 322  inmates through multi-level sampling method. Tools used for this study consisted of value scale questionnaires containing 48 items and statistical analysis based on frequency distribution, percentage, , S.D., and t-test. The results of the study were presented as follows.

1. Beliefs can be defined as confidence in what is considered to be true, some beliefs have existed through many generations. Merits refer to goodness, ways to perform goodness, happiness, results of performing good deeds, purification of mind, moral conduct, good behaviors through body, speech, and mind, based on the Buddhist principles of  Kusalakammapatha 10 (Tenfold wholesome course of action), opposite to Akusalakammapatha 10 (Tenfold unwholesome course of action).

2. Beliefs about merits and de-merits in Buddhism held by inmates of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Central Prison were ‘high’ in the overall as well as individually.

3. Comparison of beliefs about merits and de-merits in Buddhism held by inmates of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Central Prison, classified by gender, showed so significant differences at .05, both in the overall and individually. However, beliefs about de-merits , when analysed individually, had significant differences at .05 in one item, i.e.bodily actions. On the average, male and female inmates showed similar beliefs about merits and de-merits based on Buddhism.

4. Comparison of beliefs about merits and de-merits in Buddhism held by inmates of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Central Prison, classified by age, showed no significant differences at .05, both in the overall and individually.

5. Comparison of beliefs about merits and de-merits in Buddhism held by inmates of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Central Prison, classified by status, showed no significant differences at .05, both in the overall and individually.

6. Comparison of beliefs about merits and de-merits in Buddhism held by inmates of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Central Prison, classified by levels of education, showed significant differences at .05,in the overall, but an individual analysis of items indicated significant differences at .05 in all three items: body, speech, and mind.

7. Comparison of beliefs about merits and de-merits in Buddhism held by inmates of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Central Prison, classified by types, showed significant differences at .05,in the overall, but an individual analysis of items indicated significant differences at .05 in only one item : body, whereas speech and mind showed no significant differences at .05.