BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC RICE FARMING : FOSTERING VIRTUE, ETHICS, AND THE PRINCIPLE OF SUFFICIENCY

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to study and analyze the integration of Buddhist philosophy with the development of organic rice farming in Northern Thailand, emphasizing the cultivation of virtue, ethics, and a way of life based on the principle of sufficiency. The study found that key Buddhist philosophical concepts such as the Threefold Training (Sīla, Samādhi, Paññā), the Four Principles of Beneficial Conduct (Diṭṭhadhamma - kattha), and the Noble Eightfold Path were consistent with the core principles of organic agriculture, namely health, ecology, fairness, and care. Practical applications in Northern communities revealed that the participation of temples and community networks, the implementation of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), and the establishment of green markets contribute to balanced living and resilience in economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This article suggested that the development of organic rice farming guided by Buddhist philosophy not only enhanceed economic productivity but also fostered morality, ethics, and sustainable quality of life.