ABSTRACT

The aim of this research is to study the applied method of teaching           the gratitude for the teenager in current Thai society. This research studies form social phenomena which appears on gratitude of Thai teenager in present. The objectives of this research are (1) to study the teaching of gratitude in Buddhism (2) to study the problem of gratitude of teenager in current Thai society and (3) to present an applied method of teaching the gratitude for the teenager in current Thai society.

The result of research was found that the teaching of gratitude in Buddhism was taught by the Buddha as symbol which means the symbol of good person. Sometimes, the gratitude was taught by the Buddha as praised person and an important person in this world. Moreover, such person should be good by body, speech and mind. One should realize obligation and requite any person who had been supported before. To do this became culture and tradition in Thai society which traced from Buddhism. This idea was inherited from generation to generation since today.

The problem of gratitude of teenager in Thai society finds that various problems connect each other. The relation between family, monastery and school was loosen. The teenager grows without knowing the meaning of moral and ethics even the way of practice in Buddhism. Many teenagers who decline from moral and ethics also rejects the teaching of Buddhism which can be the principle and spiritual belief. Presently education cannot teach the teenager to understand themselves but teach how to addict materialism. A few teenagers are interested in the teaching of Buddhism. Most of them believe that the Buddhist teaching is useless and boring. The religious value such as merit making is a middle belief for the teenagers.

The problem of gratitude of teenager in Thai society should be considered in 2 points. For the former, the teenagers who brought up by warmly family can realize the gratitude in good condition. This group is majority. The result shows that three-quarter of Thai teenager pays attention on family and gratitude.

For the latter, the teenagers who brought up by controlling family and uncontrolling family, mostly in Thai society, can suffer from stress, dismal, depress and conflict themselves. The teenagers who brought up with abandoned condition mostly can experience problems. The result from this condition makes them lack of warmth and create various problems.

The applied method of teaching the gratitude for the teenager in current Thai society shows that the gratitude is one kind of abstract and consists of many conditions. To realize the gratitude must be take long time. Parents and teachers should kindness take care teenager in many ways. Without them such moral cannot appears to the teenagers’ mind. And, to realize the gratitude parents and teachers should teach them on proper attention (Yonisomanasikara). This principle can apply for the teaching of gratitude. Besides, the Threefold Training (Sikkha) also should be trained together. Listening and Meditated practise are also very important for them. To make them design and following their idea on volunteer work for public is very important for them to realize the gratitude and practice it.

 Download