BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES IN INTEGRATION FOR CREATING PARTICIPATORY POLITICAL CULTURE OF PEOPLE AT AMPHAWA DISTRICT IN SAMUT SONGKHRAM PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1. examine the level of participatory political culture, 2. compare personal factors affecting participatory political culture, and 3. propose guidelines for integrating Buddhist principles to strengthen participatory political culture among the public. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, consisting of quantitative and qualitative research. Questionnaires and interview forms were used as data collection instruments. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and hypotheses were tested using the F-test. Content analysis was also employed to synthesize qualitative data.

Findings were as follows: 1. The overall level of participatory political culture was found to be at a high level ( = 3.54, S.D. = 0.28). Among the dimensions examined, participation in political and administrative activities recorded the highest mean score. This was followed by civic responsibility awareness and confidence in the democratic system. In contrast, respect for rules and commitment to the principle of equality were found to be at a moderate level. 2. The results of the comparison revealed that citizens with different gender, age, educational level, occupation, and income did not show statistically significant differences in their overall opinions toward participatory political culture at the 0.05 level of significance. Therefore, the findings were not consistent with the research hypotheses, and 3. The integration of Buddhist principles to enhance participatory political culture among the public is based on the Threefold True Doctrine (Saddhamma 3), consisting of Pariyatti-saddhamma, which emphasizes providing knowledge and understanding of Buddhist principles as well as citizens’ rights and duties; Patipatti-saddhamma, which involves the application of morality, concentration, and wisdom in daily life and constructive participation; and Pativedha-saddhamma, which focuses on attaining moral qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, and equanimity in order to promote social harmony and peaceful coexistence. Overall, the integration of Buddhist principles was found to be at a high level. Pariyatti-dhamma showed the highest mean score, followed by Pativedha-dhamma, while Patipatti-dhamma was found to be at a moderate level, respectively.