The research entitled “An Application of Buddhadhamma for Caring for Diabetics: a Case Study of Baan Phae Don Sak Community, Hang Chat Sub-District, Hang Chat District, Lampang Province” consisted of three objectives. The study aimed: 1) to study the general conditions related to diabetes, 2) to study the Buddhadhamma related to disease treatment, and 3) to analyze the application of Buddhadhamma for caring for diabetics: a case story of Baan Phae Don Sak community, Hang Chat sub-district, Hang Chat district, Lampang province. The research used the mixed methodology methods between documentary, qualitative and quantitative approaches.
The results of the research were as follows:
In general condition, diabetes was a chronic disease caused by an abnormal functioning of insulin or by the deficiency of the pancreas resulting in higher blood sugar levels than the kidneys could retain so the glucose was filtered through the urine. The important factors causing this disease were heredity, obesity, stress, virus infection, liver disease and the lack of exercise. Those who had diabetes usually had these symptoms; frequent urination, thirsty, weight loss, Dermatitis, wound on the body healed slowly, always felt tired, itchy skin and blurred vision.
The Buddhadhamma that could be applied to the disease treatment, namely; 1) the Three Characteristics (tilakkhaṇa); impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and not-self (anattā), 2) Adhiṭṭhānadhamma; wisdom (paññā), truthfulness (sacca), liberality renunciation (nekkhamma) and tranquility (passaddhi). This dhamma was for having the right view on dealing with the disease normally, 3) the Four Right Exertions (sammappadhāna); the effort to prevent (saṃvara padhāna), the effort to abandon (pahāna padhāna), the effort to develop (bhāvanā padhāna), and the effort to maintain (anurakkhaṇā padhāna). This Dhamma was for controlling the blood sugar levels, 4) the Path of Accomplishment (iddhipāda); will (chanda), exertion (viriya), thoughtfulness (citta), and investigation (vīmaṃsā). This Dhamma was for reducing the blood sugar levels in patients, and 5) the Unimpeachable Path (apaṇṇaka paṭipadā); the control of the senses (indriya-saṃvara), moderation in eating (bhojane-mattaññutā), and practice of wakefulness (jāgariyānuyoga). This Dhamma was for taking care both the body and mind and also for preventing any incurrent disease.
From analyzing the application of Buddhadhamma for caring for diabetics, it was found as follows: 1) the Dhamma on Adhiṭṭhānadhamma could be applied to build motivation to be honest in controlling the suggested blood sugar level by the doctor, 2) the Dhamma on sammappadhāna or the Four Right Exertions could be applied to consider taking the medicine that could help reducing the blood sugar level and would do no harm to the body. The patient should avoid the change of medicine frequently as the frequent drug changes may mislead the direction of treatment, 3) the Dhamma on iddhipāda of the Path of Accomplishment could be applied to guide and support when the symptoms of diabetics became worse. The patient should take special care to the body and not feel discouraged because of the disease, and 4) the Dhamma on apaṇṇaka paṭipadā or the Unimpeachable Path could be applied to realize the lesson-learned. The patient should be composed on living a life and not be obsessed in any causes of ruin in order to avoid the deterioration of body.
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