A Study of Integrated Consumption of Buddhist Monks in Nong Han District Udonthani Province

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to (1) study food consumption according to Buddhism and modern principles (2) study the state of food consumption problems of Sangha Administrative monks, Nong Han District, Udon Thani Province (3) study the integrated consumption of the Ecclesiastical officials in Nong Harn District, Udonthani Province. The research was done by selecting the purposive sampling and using the in-depth interview. The key informants consisted of the Ecclesiastical District Officers, the Vice Ecclesiastical District Officers, the Ecclesiastical Commune-chiefs, the Vice Ecclesiastical Commune-chiefs, the abbots, the Vice Abbots and the Buddhist monks in the boundary of Nong Harn Districts, Udonthani Province. The research found that 1) Monks follow the Dhamma discipline as a guideline, rarely learn knowledge about nutrition in order to consider the food so that it can analyze the value of food and necessity for consumption 2) The problem in general, the diet is not according to nutrition principles. According to the fact that monks received food from people, or who had faith in the traditions or beliefs of their ancestors May cause health problems of monks3) to consume the integrated nutrition of the Ecclesiastical Officials in Nong Han District, Udonthani was found that the Buddhist monks should consume foods in according to the five groups of the permitted nutrition with the virtue. To consume the sufficient nutrition and to use the right knowledge as appropriate by application of virtue are the fundamental virtue in proceeding one’s life in order to consume the appropriate nutrition, not to cause the diseases to the body, not to be troubled in money, not to trouble the others and not to destroy the environment. To follow the middle way will be appropriate and to practice the middle way in consuming the foods for keeping the holy life will be more developed.