BUDDHIST METHODS FOR PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATORY POLITICAL CULTURE PROMOTION AT MAE AI DISTRICT, CHIENG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1. examine the level of people’s participatory political culture; 2. investigate the relationship between the principle of sovereignty and people’s participatory political culture; and 3. propose Buddhist methods for promoting people’s participatory political culture in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province. The study employed a mixed-methods research design. In the quantitative component, data were collected from 342 citizens aged 18 years and over using a questionnaire as the research instrument. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as correlation coefficients to examine the relationships between variables. In the qualitative component, in-depth interviews were conducted with 9 key informants, consisting of monks and laypersons.

Findings were as follows: 1. the overall level of people’s participatory political culture was moderate; 2. the relationship between the principles of sovereignty and participatory political culture among the people was high (r = .652) and statistically significant at the 0.01 level, supporting the hypothesis; and 3. Buddhist methods to promote participatory political culture in Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, were identified as follows: Atta-dhipaya (self-sovereignty): cultivating citizens who think critically, encouraging people to think and make decisions rationally. Loka-dhipaya (societal sovereignty): fostering respect for diversity, encouraging society to respect majority opinions while listening to minority voices. Dhamma-dhipaya (sovereignty of the Dharma): creating a transparent and just society where all decisions are based on correctness, avoiding personal gain, and enhancing political and social ethics.