ABSTRACT

The objective of this thesis is to study about honesty stated in the scripture of Theravãda Buddhism and to study the lack of honesty in Thai families and the method to the application of the honesty to the Support of the intensity of the Thai families. The study is conducted through qualitative analysis by verifying documents and interviewing the 7 experts.

The research found that integrity means, thoughtful action, truth, no cheating, no intention to cheat or deceive and the straight action, honest, commitment and loyal.  In the Buddhist discipline honesty is speaking of truth, sincerity, acceptance and faithful to the teaching of lord Buddha. Truth means any act that truth is used as the power, i.e. the truth of honesty, truthful word or the actual situation of oneself as the power to protect something or use it to get the result such as Vattakapotakacariyã  Angulimãlajãtaka and  Sampula jãtaka.

There are two characteristics of honesty that are being carried out through behavior of oneself and other people namely (1) the truthful action from the mind such as sincerity, undeceiving   or good mental action, verbal action or telling the truth or good verbal action and good action itself which means taking honest action, keeping promise . (2) Straight action is loyalty to oneself, to others, to time, to words, to role and to promise, and faithfulness.

For instance, the lacking of honesty in Thai families comes from 2 causes, namely:–

1) The Personal cause such as (1) the characteristic of the couple (2) the behavior of the couple and (3) the relationship of the couple.

2) The Social and Economic cause such as (1) The changing of the role player by the woman (2) The change of the attitude toward the divorce (3) The moral deterioration of people in the societies.

These two reasons directly effect the individual person in the family which lead to the broken family and divorce as seen in the news such as committing adultery, violence, drug abuse, gambling and sexual harassment.

There are 4 ways to resolve such family problems according to the Dhamma stated in the book of Theravãda Buddhism as follows:–  (1) Five precepts as the means to resolve the problems of adultery.  The five virtues are being used to control the physical, verbal and mental behaviors of the couple to be in accordance with the good deeds. (2) Four Gharãvãsa-Dhamma: virtues for a good household life to resolve the conflict and it is the Dharma that will lead one the peaceful life for the couple, and to prevent the divorce or the separation in the family. (3) Four Holy Abidings one; the sublime states of mind to resolve the problems of drug and gambling. This is also the Dharma to be taught to the son and daughter to establish the good relationship and love among the medley of family. (4) Six Directions: the ways to solve the problem of the sexual harassment and to be used for strengthening the roles of individuals in families and societies, and ultimately lead to peace.