Abstract

This research contains three objectives: 1) to study the principles of mental cure for patients 2) to study the methods of mental cure of patients by the Buddhist monks and 3) to study the process of mental cure of patients by the Buddhist monks in modern Thai society. An example of nine Buddhist monks who had more five year experiences in mental cure has been a major source of information, including nurses and patients’ relatives together were six in number provided additional information.

This research is the qualitative research based on the interpretation process through which in-depth interview according to Rossman and Rollis’ research tool used. Of which comprised: 1) collecting data on mental healing by Buddhist monks
2) building a conceptual framework based on the collected data 3) transcription of tape record to conclude into meaningful categories as objectives 4) ensuring comprehensive data and accuracy and 5) reporting the results based on the interview data, with references to principles, theories and credible literature.

From the study, it found that: The principles of mental cure for patients by the Buddhist monks went through the same direction of the Dhamma practiced, that is, by using four Brahmaviharadhammas, which related to circumstances of patients as guideline, following by the four Noble Truths and psychology, which controlled by mindfulness. For the method of mental cure of the patients, it began by creating the companionable relationship with patients by sincerely taking care of them on the feeling, which then shown the causes of suffering and sufferings ended by presenting the way out of mental cure for patients as well as providing them the mental developed-tools suitably based on individuals. For the process of mental cure of patients in the modern society, the Buddhist monks who cured the patients would be knowledgeable on either theoretical or practical principles of mental cure for patients, then properly applied those in patients’ life, importantly emphasized on the causes of mental suffering as well as always trained monks themselves as the keen students who gained knowledge from the patient teachers.   

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