Self-Control for the Families’ Happiness of the Elderly in Thai Society

Abstract

  The objectives of this study were to study the development of the quality of the elders’ life in terms of Buddhism, the health-promoting activities, the elderly networking, and ways in controlling oneself for the families’ happiness of the elders in Thai society. Generally speaking, the elders are living happily according to their personal circumstances, are dependent on some important basic needs, such as good health, self-economic dependency, and suitable housing management. Apart from what have been said before, the elders should have been well continuously related with every member of the families. Buddhist dharma principles are able to promote good continuous relationship among the elders and the families’ members by adopting the said principles in order to enhance the self-control. The elders should often study dharma, listen to dharma, and practice to meditation and mindfulness.
   The dharma that is suitable for the elders are the Brahma IV Principles which are dharma for Brahma or the great man. By adopting the Brahma IV Principles regularly, it will help the elders in living noble and pure. The Brahma IV Principles consist of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathy, and equanimity. Moreover, Sangkhavatthu IV Principles consist of giving, kindly speech, life of services, and even and equal treatment, are dharma for holding other people kindness or each-other welfare. Those are factors that will make the elders be valued and loved by their family, and resulted in happiness both body and mind as their status.