Implementing Theravāda Buddhist Teachings in Community Life: A Study of Sampali Village, Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra

Abstract

This study highlights the suboptimal implementation of Theravāda Buddhist teachings in the lives of Buddhists in Sampali Village .The implementation of Theravāda teachings includes the understanding and application of these teachings in the lives of Buddhists, along with various challenges in their execution. This research employs three theoretical approaches: phenomenological theory to understand how the teachings are experienced and practiced; yoga theory, which highlights the similarities in spiritual approaches found in yoga practices; and reception theory to examine how these teachings are received and transformed within social and cultural contexts. This study uses a qualitative method with a critical and interdisciplinary approach in the field of religious and cultural studies. The focus is on the implementation of Theravāda Buddhist teachings in the daily lives of the people in Sampali Village. The data sources are primary: observation, interviews, and field documentation involving members of the Saṅgha, temple administrators, and lay Buddhists and secondary: books, journals, and official documents. The data collection techniques include observations of religious practices, interviews with key informants, and document studies from temples and libraries. The instruments consist of the researcher as the main instrument, supported by interview guidelines and documentation tools. Data analysis refers to the Miles & Huberman model: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The research findings indicate that factors such as mental aspects, social and cultural environments, unstructured education, theological and economic factors all contribute to the incomplete implementation of Theravāda Buddhist teachings in Sampali Village. The process of applying the teachings is carried out through three stages: pariyatti (theoretical understanding), paṭipatti (spiritual practice), and paṭivedha (empirical realization). These three stages demonstrate a systematic approach to internalizing the Buddha’s teachings—from study to the attainment of enlightenment. The implications of Theravāda Buddhist teachings in Sampali Village include: Theological aspects, which emphasize individual effort to attain Nibbāna through morality, meditation, and personal wisdom; Psychological aspects, in which mindfulness practices and meditation such as vipassanā help reduce stress and improve emotional balance as well as social relationships; and Sociological aspects, which strengthen social norms based on harmony, tolerance, and peaceful conflict resolution. Theravāda Buddhist teachings have been proven not only to strengthen individual spirituality but also to provide significant positive impacts on the psychological and social aspects of the community.