The purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the concept of the development of quality of life amongst elderly people in Buddhism, (2) to study the concept and background of the School for the Elderly, Wiang Sub-District Administrative Organization, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, and (3) analyze the development of quality of life amongst elderly people in the context of Buddhist teachings at the School for the Elderly, Wiang Sub-District Administrative Organization, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province.

The results showed that the quality of life in Buddhism must be developed in four areas: (1) Physical development which is to develop the relation with the material or physical environment as well as technology, and the five faculties-eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body-by treating those in a useful not harmful way, (2) Moral development which is the practice of behavior, discipline, physical integrity and verbal behavior that benefit social relation by helping to build a good society, (3) Mental development which is the training on the quality of the mind, making it bright, cheerful, generous, and faithful, and (4.) Intellectual development which is to train to develop intelligence to understand things in reality, live with wisdom and a free and happy mind without suffering.

The purposes of the establishment of the School for the Elderly under Wiang Sub-District Administrative Organization, which is the first elderly school in Fang, Mae Ai and Chai Prakan Districts, are to promote the group activities of the elderly, to be the center of career promotion and local wisdom transfer of the elderly in the community, to encourage the elderly to receive physical, mental and social development, relax and relieve stress. The activities of the School are the matters that the elderly are interested in and important to their lives helping to increase knowledge, necessary life skills by listening to volunteer lecturers or personnel from related agencies. At the same time, it is the area where the elderly will show their potential by transferring their knowledge and experience to other people in order to preserve their wisdom and value for the community.

The development of the quality of life of the elderly in the context of Buddhist teachings is based on Bhāvanā 4. (1) For Kāya-bhāvanā or physical aspect, the elderly develop the body by helping others, self-practicing, supporting, caring, being generous, and respecting each other. They are more careful with the four faculties: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body. (2) For Sila-bhāvanā or moral and social aspect, they avoid taking advantages of others while having mutual support, living together with mutual sympathy, and strengthen the discipline among themselves and society. (3) For Citta-bhāvanā or mental aspect, the elderly are mentally strong, stable, reasonably effective in living together, having compassion, having good wishes with sincerity and happiness. (4) For Paññā--bhāvanā or intellectual aspect, they practice in order to create a true understanding of natural conditions, look at the world and society on the bright side, have an independent mind, and know how to let go of everything in life with wisdom.

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