Promoting the Health of Monks: Integrating Buddhist Doctrine and Discipline, the National Health Charter for Monks and National Sanitation Principles

Abstract

This article aims to study health promotion among Buddhist monks from the time of the Buddha to the present context, based on the principles of conduct according to Buddhist precepts in harmony with nature, and applying the National Health Charter for Buddhist Monks B.E. 2566 (2023) as a guideline for promoting the well-being of monks and their role as leaders in community health. A systematic content analysis of relevant documents and data was used.

The study found that Buddhist monks are facing a high level of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to limitations in their monastic lifestyle, such as restricted food choices during alms rounds, insufficient exercise and certain risk behaviors. Buddhism lays the foundation for health care through moderate eating, alms rounds, meditation and mutual care among monks, which aligns with the concept of holistic well-being. The article proposes integrating the Fourfold Meditation (the 4 P's) with health practices based on the 4 O's and the 5 R's of sanitation to create health literacy, a well-being-supportive environment and community cooperation, leading to the development of “A Sustainable Holistic Ecosystem for Monks: Physical, Mental, Social, and Intellectual Well-being”