This study has three purposes: (1) to study the Dana in the Tipitaka, (2) to study the model of Community Welfare Fund according to the principle of Dana in Mae Suk sub-district, Mae Chai district, Phayao province, and (3) to analyze the application of the principle of Dana to the Community Welfare fund of Mae Suk Sub-district, Mae Chai District, Phayao.
The findings revealed that Dana is the basic principle in Buddhism and is one of the merits in the three bases of meritorious actions. Giving is considered to be the basic virtue of human beings living together in society because it eradicates to the miserliness of the provider itself and It is also helpful to help others. They are classified into 2 types: 1) Amissadana, a charity done by giving objects and 2) Dhammadana, meritorious action by instructing people to know good and bad. The Buddha praised the Dhamma as the excellent act which results in the outstanding result.
Mae Suk Community Welfare Fund has its managing model as follows. For the death case, money for funeral services is provided by giving to the departed person’s children or closest relative whereas, in a case of illness, medical care expenses are given. For birth case, the mother is offered the special money. In case of disability, the disabled are exempted from annual money collection. There is a promotion in participation to help people in the community with agencies through the public interest activities, community development, such as charity caravan events, object distribute, a visit to a patient, elderly people, the disabled, attending festivals, and joining volunteer of the Fund.
With regard to the application of the principle of Dana to promote the Welfare of Community Mae Suk sub-district, it was found that Dana is giving, a sacrifice of one’s wealth for the benefits of others and the masses. It is the dhamma that shows meritorious act man does to a man to help each other in the community to achieve the goal and it can be applied in daily life and work including living with others in the society as the Dana unifies people and bind people together.
The results of the application of the principle of Dana in the managing of the Mae Suk Community Welfare Fund leads to assisting and creating a good life for people in the community and also initiates love and helpfulness in living together in the society. This also shows human’s unity, generosity, sacrifice for the public and by the principle of Dana people learn to live together and the community can cultivate a positive attitude to the youths who can follow this good exemplary practice and they can create a good culture for living together in the society.
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