Buddhist Integration to Promotes Political Awareness of the People in the Election of Member of the House of Representatives Electorate Zone 1 in Phrae Province

พุทธบูรณาการส่งเสริมการตื่นตัวทางการเมืองของประชาชนในการเลือกตั้งสมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎรเขตเลือกตั้งที่ 1 จังหวัดแพร่

Abstract

          This mixed-methods study aims to 1) investigate the level of political awareness among people in the election of Member of the House of Representatives for Constituency 1, 2) explore the relationship between Bala V (Five Strengths) and their political awareness, and 3) present an integrated Buddhist framework of Bala V (Five Strengths) for enhancing their political awareness in the election of Member of the House of Representatives for Constituency 1, Phrae province. In the quantitative phase, the data were gathered from 367 participants, determined using Taro Yamane's formula with a 5% margin of error (0.05). In the qualitative phase, the in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 key informants.

          The Result

1. The overall level of political awareness of participants in the election of Member of the House of Representatives for Constituency 1, Phrae province, was at a high level.
2. The analysis of the relationship between Bala V (Five Strengths) and political awareness indicated a low positive correlation.
3. This study proposes an integrative guideline of Bala V (Five Strengths) as a Buddhist mechanism to promote civic political awareness systematically. It begins with strengthening faith to foster belief in democracy value and civic engagement, while being driven by Viriya, which emphasizes persistent effort in monitoring, oversight, and sustained political vigilance in accordance with established goals. In the electoral process, mindfulness is applied as a tool for carefully recognizing, analyzing, and scrutinizing information, while concentration is used to steady the mind with firm resolve, unshaken by external stimuli or manipulation, so the effective decision can be made. Finally, wisdom serves as the foundation for developing comprehensive insight and critical awareness of systemic structures and politics, leading to critical analysis and political decision-making grounded in sound reason. In summary, the integration of these five principles of Dhamma is a key approach to sustainably improving quality and enhancing citizens’ political consciousness in a democratic society.