This thesis had 3 purposes: (1) to study the community development work conducted by Buddhist monks within the jurisdiction of Chaturat District, (2) to investigate Buddhist principles surfaced in the community development achieved by Buddhist monks within the jurisdiction of Chaturat District, and (3) to examine the applications of Buddhist principles for the community development by Buddhist monks  within  the jurisdiction of Chaturat District, Chaiyaphum Province. The study showed the following results:

            There were six community development projects implemented by Buddhist monks in Chaturat District, Chaiyaphum Province: (1) Moral Training Project, (2) Training Project for District People, (3) Monastery-based Pre-kindergarten Children Training Project, (4) Summer Novice Ordination Project, (5) Mental Development Training Project for Better Quality of Life (8 precepts observance), and (6) Dhamma Practice Training Project for Students and General Public.

            Buddhist monks’ development activities are manifested in various forms of rural development. Human and environmental development activities are performed side by side in the belief that human development alone is very difficult and takes so much time, and that man and environment cannot be separated. In this connection, five development projects have been implemented: (1) Career Training Project, (2) Herbal Plantation Project, (3) Local Culture Preservation Project, (4) Environment Preservation Project, and (5) Water Reservoir Development Project.

            The Buddhist principles applied by Buddhist monks for the community development within the jurisdiction of Chaturat District, Chaiyaphum Province included Ditthadhammikattha (Gain for This Life), Iddhipada (Four Paths of Accomplishment), Brahmavihara (The Four Noble Sentiments), and Sammaajiva (Right Livelihood). All these principles of Buddhist teachings have been mainly applied for community development, especially economic development, by Buddhist monks in Chaturat District, Chaiyaphum Province, in order to encourage village people to further apply these principles in solving the problems related to agriculture and environment in their work performance.

            In conclusion, these Buddhist principles can help promote villagers’ self-reliance and self-sufficiency. They can also be applied by Buddhist monks engaging in the community development, such as in saving and conserving water and soil, which require diligence, hard work, patience, perseverance, thriftiness, and moderation in all things that lead to sustainable development and happy lives. This study thus clearly indicated that all the above-mentioned projects have been successfully implemented through the applications of Buddhist principles.