A deeper understanding of Buddhism could help young people resist anti-social behaviour, according to the Lao Buddhism for Development Project.

A report presented to an annual meeting of the Lao Buddhism for Development Project in Vientiane yesterday claims Lao society is threatened by globalisation and the expansion of trade.

“Many have turned to drugs, become migrant workers and even sex workers. Subsistent peasant communities are being uprooted, albeit slower than in neighbouring countries,” the report stated.

“Young people in big towns are discontent with the traditional way of life. They are eagerly responding to the pulls of modernisation and consumerism which is only now becoming evident in Lao society.”

Buddhist community leaders think they could play a meaningful role if community members were trained to understand their own spiritual and cultural roots, the report says.

Project Advisor and Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation President, Honourable Venerable Dr Pramaha Vichit Singharat, said Buddhism could help guide community behaviour in line with the policies of the government and the Party.

“All people want happiness and giving information to young children about Buddhism is a way to help them stay away from problems, because the religion teaches them what they should and should not do,” he said.

Project activities include teaching Buddhist philosophy, including morals, principles and their application to everyday life. If will also involve counseling and rehabilitation activities for patients and organic farming training for villagers.

Last year, about 10,600 people from the Vientiane Ophthalmology Centre and the Vientiane Rehabilitation and Vocational Treatment Centre were trained by the project.

Almost 3,000 school children in eight districts of Vientiane were also trained.

A monk who works for the project, Archan Athipatai Maytryjit, said the project had helped people infected with HIV/AIDS by teaching them skills such as how to make handicrafts, so they could earn a living and be self-sufficient.

Drug addicts have also been assisted by the project, and Archan Athipatai said they changed their attitudes and gave more respect to older people after learning Buddhist teachings from the project.

“You can see the differences between those who learn Buddhism and those who do not. Those who learn will act in a polite way and their words are accepted by many people,” Archan Athipatai said.

Lao Buddhism for Development was registered in 2003 as a social organisation which aims to reintroduce Buddhism's development philosophy to Lao society. This philosophy is based on self-sufficiency, sharing wisdom, and harmony with nature, the community and oneself.

The report stated the project would continue disseminating information about Buddhism whilst also promoting the role of nuns.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update September 3, 2008)