Abstract

            This thesis is of three objectives: 1) to study the principles of self-reliance in the concept of theories and Buddhism 2) to study the principles of self-reliance in communities in Thai societies at the present time, and 3) to integrate the principles of self-reliance in Buddhism and Thai societies.

            The research is qualitative study by using both methods: - a document study of self-reliance literature and a case study of six communities’ which succeed in self-reliance to integrate the self-reliance principles in Buddhism and Thai societies.    

            From the research, it is found that firstly, the principles of self-reliance of concepts or theories: - the fullness of interior potentialities of communities is the important factor and connection with exterior organizations is the supporting factor. Methods of self-reliance are the management of interior potentialities for the benefit of communities, and the goals of self-reliance are the mundane levels. Buddhism is of the principles of self-reliance:- the Dharma-reliance or an emphasis on Dharma in Buddhism by correctly following the Buddha’s teachings is according to one’s own status.  The methods and the goals of self-reliance in Buddhism can be divided into two levels: - the mundane levels and super mundane levels. The mundane levels emphasize the living happily with other people in societies. Meanwhile, the super mundane levels emphasize the improving the people’s qualities to attain the ultimate goals of Buddhism, Nirvana or the extinction of all defilements. Secondly, the principles of self-reliance of six communities: - the reliance on one’s own potentiality within communities for mainly supporting the factors of self-reliance. The methods of self-reliance are the present carrying out the activities by oneself. Each people can be able to carry out the activities by oneself until being stable of self-reliance and then working together or coordinating other the people, the group, or the outside organizations. The goals of self-reliance of communities are the emphasis on attaining the most goals of self-reliance at the mundane levels. Thirdly, the principles of self-reliance in the Buddhist integration are of three points: - having the moral principles, the development of peoples with the threefold Learning, and the balance of the principles of self-reliance in Buddhism between both the mundane and the super mundane. The methods of Buddhist integration are of four methods: - doing the activities with effort and wisdom, having good friends, respecting the role of groups, communities and societies and improving continuous one. The goals of self-reliance of Buddhist integration are of two levels: - the mundane and the super mundane.

             The peoples in the societies should emphasize the self-reliance in Buddhist integration as the principles, the methods and the goals that a person can follow concretely, and should combine them in the process of development at the levels of people, communities and society at the present time. If they can process them correctly, the self-reliance will surely happen.

Download