Buddhist Principles in Elderly Care: Promoting Well-Being  and Dignified Aging

Thongjan  Attarang

Authors

Thongjan Attarang Non-formal and Informal Education Center, Nong Bua Lamphu, 39140, Thailand

Keywords:

Mental healing, Buddhism, Mental health, Buddhist integration

Abstract

This article aimed to study: (1) Buddhist principles relevant to elderly care, (2) the application of Buddhist teachings to promote well-being among older adults, and (3) a synthesized Buddhist Elderly Care (BEC) Model for Thai society. The research employed a qualitative documentary methodology, drawing on Buddhist philosophy and holistic care theories as the research framework. The target sources comprised 42 academic documents and research articles published between 2018 and 2023, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included: (1) a document analysis form, (2) an expert interview form, and (3) a credibility verification form. Data were analyzed using content analysis and conceptual synthesis.

The research results were found as follows. 1. Key Buddhist principles for elderly care include the Four Qualities of a Householder (gharavāsa-dhamma), the Four Bases of Social Solidarity (saṅgaha-vatthu), and the Four Foundations of Development (bhāvanā 4), which together promote holistic well-being in later life. 2. The application of Buddhist teachings promotes elderly well-being across four dimensions: physical (kāya), mental (citta), social (saṅgha), and wisdom (paññā). These findings resonate with Attarung (2023), who demonstrated that Buddhist principles provide a comprehensive framework for mind healing applicable across the life course, including in older adulthood. 3. The Buddhist Elderly Care (BEC) Model consists of four components: Physical Care (kāya-pariharaka), Mental Nurturing (citta-bhāvanā), Community Connectedness (saṅgha-sambandha), and Wisdom for Peaceful Death (paññā-maranaṃ). This model provides a culturally grounded framework for dignified and spiritually meaningful aging.

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