The Method of Solving the Debt Problems according to the Buddha’s Teachings of Local Scholars in Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the cause of becoming in-debt of agriculturists, to study the ways of debt solutions, to study Buddhist principles for debt solutions, and to study the sustainable ways to solve the debt problem of agriculturists according to Buddhist principles of scholars in Khon Kaen province. This qualitative research was based on the information gathered from in-depth interviews with 3 Isan scholars and then the data were analyzed and testified. The results were found that the causes of becoming in-debt of agriculturists were because of the government policies; producing for trading, not for self-sufficiency and the agricultures’ attitude changing about how to live. The ways to solve agriculturists’ debt were integrated farming focusing on water. It was for consumer, if it was enough to eat, it was given to all friends or relatives and then sold in the market, planning to manage money and saving it. The Buddhist principles applied to solve agriculturists’ debt problem were Apahariyadhamma (condition of welfare) focusing on holding regular and frequent meetings to plan and find the way-out, Idhipada 4 (path of accomplishment) and Adthahi Adthano Notho (self-reliance) and the sustainable ways to solve the debt problem were that agriculturists earned every day, every mount, every year and had pension