This dissertation entitled ‘A Model of the Happy Livelihood according to the Buddhadhamma for the Youths: A Case Study of the Saraburiwitthayakhom School’ has three objectives: 1) to study youths’ ways of life in the present Thai society, 2) to study its virtues for youths’ living a happy life, and 3) to propose the youths’ formation of living happily according to the Buddhist principles. This is a qualitative research done by studying documents, and in-depth interview. 50 Population were purposively selected from secondary students, twenties males and 30 females.

In the research, it was found that youths means people who are self-centred and sensitive in emotion. Their personality development can be made; if they have good education then their personality is also good. It can be said that they are under the age of searching for whatever they want. They learn their own roles and duties so as to develop their ability where bright future is expected to become the hope of the nation.

In this, the religious institution has the important role to play in empowering their mind-set in order to distance them from fearfulness and unsafety by which the family institution and government can be of the good function. Consequently, they can harmoniously live together happily. To achieve this state, the Buddhist principles leading to morally train youths’ ways of living life are required: five precepts, four paths of accomplishment and thirty-eight supreme virtues.

As far as the formation for youths’ living happily according to the Buddhist principles: a case study of the Saraburiwitthayakhom School is concerned, two formations are found: [1] learning: youths’ successfulness in studying did not only come from their likeness but also from their parents’ support wherein they have been inspired in the good manners giving rise to the positive aspect to themselves, family, school, community and environment. Under this way, they perform their duty and responsibility in the way that they know the sequent significance of time becoming a good Buddhist, following these virtues: 1) four paths of accomplishment: they have inspiration, making and effort while working, possessing investigative mind, and examining what they had done, 2) they follow one – thirty supreme virtues: these principles are regarded as the essential guidelines for living a happy life, [2] problem and its solution on living life, violent problem can be solved through following first precept, stealing other property through second precept, sexual misconduct through third precept, false speech through fourth precept and intoxicant usage through fifth precept. These can be accompanied by all together mentioned three virtues.

Download