Household Dhamma and Family Flourishing: Applying the Sigālovāda Sutta, Brahmavihāras, and Right Speech to Daily Life in Contemporary Thailand
Abstract
Family life in Thailand is shaped by Theravāda Buddhist values, yet contemporary
households face intensified pressures from economic uncertainty, intergenerational caregiving,
and digitally amplified conflict. While temples and Buddhist teachings remain influential, many
families lack a coherent, practice-ready framework for translating doctrine into daily routines
that improve communication, reduce resentment, and sustain care with dignity. This article
develops an applied model of “Household Dhamma” for family flourishing grounded in the
Sigālovāda discourse (DN 31) and complemented by the Brahmavihāras (mettā, karuṇā,
muditā, upekkhā) and right speech. Using documentary analysis of key Pāli sources and
integrating contemporary evidence from mindfulness-based couple and parenting
interventions and loving-kindness and compassion training, the paper proposes a six-domain
operational framework aligned with the ‘six directions’ of DN 31: parents–children, spouses/
partners, teachers/mentors, employers/employees, friends/peers, and spiritual/community
guides. For each domain, the model specifies reciprocal duties, communication norms derived
from right speech, and daily micro-practices that cultivate prosocial emotion and reduce
escalation. The proposed “METTA-Family Protocol” includes (1) a weekly family council using
truthful, gentle, and timely speech; (2) short mettā practices adapted for families; (3) conflict
de-escalation steps grounded in wise attention; and (4) attention hygiene routines that limit
digital triggers. The article discusses ethical safeguards, including avoiding coercive religious
framing and acknowledging potential distress during contemplative practice. By translating
canonical household ethics into actionable routines supported by contemporary evidence,
the model aims to strengthen Thai families as primary units of social peace and to provide a
template for evaluable temple-based and community family programs.
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