Journal of Buddhist Studies

Managing Work Environment of Buddhist Organizations

2025-04-04T20:40:50+07:00

This academic article presents the workplace management of Buddhist organizations by applying Buddhist principles to foster happiness and effectiveness for both directors and officers. They are able to improve emotional self-regulation, workplace environment, and positive attitude towards others, leading to organizational motivation and satisfaction in terms of leadership, communication, and balance between working together under organizational policies. Managing the workplace environment is essential: personnel must learn, acknowledge the shift, embrace change and challenge positively, and focus on responsibilities and life goals. Integrating Buddhist principles into organization management by prioritizing goodness over knowledge is beneficial since it is individual behavior, whereas knowledge is personal interest. Nowadays, social environments are more materialistic than spiritual or ethical. As ethics are an external guideline for creating personnel morality, Sikkh„ (threefold training), Iddhip„da (foundations for accomplishment), and Sappurisa (virtues of a gentleman) should be integrated into workplace and personnel development. These Buddhist principles benefit personnel by making them reasonable, aware of changes in global society, embracing change, and understanding human nature, resulting in good quality of life and efficient task performance.

Monaiya Patipada: A Layperson’s Path of Dhamma Practice In the Modern World

2025-06-11T21:46:13+07:00

This article proposes a new approach to the spiritual life of laypeople, demonstrating that inner peace and wisdom are not limited to monastics, but can be cultivated through daily practice. Central to this path is Monaiya Patipada, a set of twelve principles taught by the Buddha to guide individuals toward self-reliance, mental discipline, and liberation from worldly attachments. The author reinterprets these teachings in light of contemporary lay contexts including family responsibilities, capitalist work environments, digital media use, aging, education, vulnerability, urban life, and experiences of loss. From this reinterpretation, the MñUñNñI model emerges, comprising four core pillars: 1. M ñ Mindful Self-Reliance Cultivating inner stability without being swayed by praise, criticism, or social pressure. 2. U ñ Unshakable Integrity Remaining firmly rooted in moral values, even in systems that tempt ethical compromise or overlook virtue. 3. N ñ Noble Emotional Discipline developing awareness of emotional impulses such as anger, greed, and sorrow, without being enslaved by them. 4. I ñ Inner Stillness & Insight Creating a quiet inner space to listen deeply and see reality as it truly is. By practicing these four dimensions together, laypeople can ordain the heart embracing a spiritual life without renouncing worldly duties, and living with mindfulness, balance, and tranquility amidst the uncertainties of the modern world.

Promoting English Buddhist Vocabulary through Reading Activities in Thai Temples in United States of America

2025-06-22T23:31:23+07:00

This article aims to promote the knowledge of English vocabulary related to Buddhism among monks and general Buddhist practitioners in the context of Thai temples abroad. The focus is on designing reading activities that are appropriate to Buddhist teachings and rituals. The training program was conducted at Wat Thai Suchadadhammajarik Sanghavihara in Sun Valley, California, USA. A total of nine participants joined the program, including six monks and three laypeople. The training took place once a week for a total of 30 hours over a 10-week period.

The content included five Jataka tales in English and five topics on Buddhist festivals. Learners practiced reading, pronunciation, interpretation, and vocabulary usage through various activities, such as vocabulary matching, answering questions based on images, role-playing, and group discussions.

The implementation of training activities aimed at promoting English vocabulary related to Buddhism revealed that participants showed clear improvement in their English language skills, particularly in reading, pronunciation, and the use of specialized vocabulary associated with Buddhist teachings and rituals. In addition, they developed a deeper understanding of Dhamma, as the instructional content was based on Jataka tales and Buddhist festivals, which were closely connected to their daily lives and religious practices.

This led to an integrated learning experience that combined both language and Buddhist knowledge. The program demonstrates a practical model that can be further developed into a structured training curriculum to effectively prepare Thai Buddhist missionary for international roles.

Designing and creating murals painting with applied laikam of identity for the inheritance of lanna art

2025-02-17T17:15:40+07:00

This research article There are 3 objectives: 1) To study the history of the identity of Lai Kham Applied in Lanna art. 2) To design and create murals of the Identity of Lai Kham Applied. For the inheritance of Lanna art. 3) To organize activities to transfer knowledge and the process of creating Lanna applied designs. To promote it as a source of learning about arts and culture in Lanna. It is research and development.

The research results found that; 1) Lai Kham work or gold leaf pattern work is one of the important techniques in Thai art that has been passed down through generations. It has evolved since the Ayutthaya period. Around the 22nd and 23rd Buddhist centuries, this was the time when the art of Lai Rod Nam and lacquer and gold leaf art flourished the most And Lai Kham is a work of art lacquered and gilded into various patterns. In Lanna, it is popular to use lacquer as a vermilion red background. It is different from the lacquer and gold work of other regions. 2) Nowadays, Lai Kham work has developed further, influenced by techniques and methods from Lanna Lai Kham art in the past, called Lai Kham Nam Taem. It is a method that has been created from experimentation, problem solving, and creativity. Using materials that are now more readily available, it has evolved into applied patterns. 3) Organizing activities to transfer knowledge as follows: (1) Activities to learn the process of creating Lanna applied patterns (2) Organizing a forum to transfer knowledge to the community and network partners (3) Dissemination of knowledge Know through online media.

The Operational Model of the Upper Northern Region’s Network of Development-Oriented Monks and Community Organizers

2025-06-11T21:35:43+07:00

This research article aims to 1) examine the working models of the Northern Upper Regionís Community-Engaged Monk Networks, 2) analyze the operational processes of these networks, and 3) propose a model for community development specific to the networks of socially engaged monks in Northern Thailand. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, utilizing in-depth interviews with five development-oriented monks actively working in the region.

The findings reveal that 1) the working models of these monastic networks are diverse, depending on the local context and specific community challenges. Their activities are deeply rooted in Buddhist principles and represent a form of proactive Dhamma dissemination. Moreover, they emphasize collaboration and network connectivity to foster collective strength in addressing complex contemporary issues. 2) The operational process comprises four key stages: (1) analyzing community problems to identify root causes and formulate targeted solutions, (2) planning and delegating roles in collaboration with local residents, (3) implementing action plans through both internal and external community partnerships, and (4) evaluating outcomes to determine success factors and identify areas of improvement. 3) The proposed model, termed the ìKind Monk Model,î seeks to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of monk networks in navigating social transformations. Central to this model is the application of the Noble Eightfold Path as its guiding principle, complemented by strategic network management, integration of contemporary academic knowledge, and the promotion of ongoing collaborative learning.

An Analytical Study on The Guru Worship of Tai Yai Buddhists in Chiang Mai Province

2025-04-04T20:43:27+07:00

This research article aims to: 1) investigate the origin and significance of the Wai Khru (teacher-honoring) ritual among Shan (Tai Yai) Buddhists; 2) examine the structure and format of the Wai Khru ceremony; and 3) analyze the Buddhist principles reflected in the ritual. The study employs qualitative research methods, supplemented by field data collection.

The findings reveal that: 1) the Wai Khru ritual serves as an expression of respect and gratitude toward former teachers and scholars who have transmitted knowledge, language, traditions, and cultural values of the Shan people. It is a way to honor their virtues and demonstrate appreciation; 2) the ritual involves religious ceremonies and offerings to teachers, typically including raw bananas, rice, flowers, coconuts, and other items. In the past, the teacherís offering set (Khant Khru) was traditionally changed every 5 or 7 days. In contemporary practice, this has shifted to a permanent offering set (Khant Khru Luang), which is now renewed twice a yearóonce in the fifth lunar month (April) and again in the eleventh lunar month (November); and 3) the ritual reflects key Buddhist principles, including the Seven Qualities of a Good Friend (Kalyāṇamittatā 7), the Two Kinds of Worship (Āmisa Pūjā and Paṭipatti Pūjā), and the Three Bases of Merit (PuÒÒakiriyavatthu 3).

Dhammapadaṭṭhakathāgāthāyojanā : Transliteration Translation and Analysis

2025-04-04T20:51:15+07:00

This research aims 1) to study the history and background of the commentaries, sub-commentaries, Yojana, and the transliteration of the Dhammapadaṭṭhakathākāthāyojanā from Thai script to Romanized Pali;
2) to translate it into Thai; and 3) to analyze its presentation by vocabulary and grammar. It is a documentary research analysed by grammatical word and its explanation.

The findings reveal that: 1) Commentaries are texts elaboratinf and interpreting the Buddhist doctrines. Sub-commentaries are further clarifing the Commentariesí contents. Yojana is explaining the construction of sentence and translation. The Dhammapadaṭṭhakathākāthāyojanā was composed by Sirisumangala Mahāthera, the abbot of Mangala to elaborate the internal verses found in the 8 Volumes of the Dhammapadaṭṭhakathā. In this study, the researcher has transliterated from Khmer-script Pali to Romanized Pali only the first 4 Volumes. 2) The translation it from Romanized Pali into Thai is of 3 styles: (1) Translation by word is a word-by-word translation.
(2) Translation by consonants is a literal translation. (3) Translation by meaning is a translation that does not aim to preserve grammatical structure. In this research, the researcher chose to translate by meaning into Thai. 3) On analysis, the researcher selected each of internal verses from each sections of the 1-4 Volumes, then, : analizes on the following items such as (1) analysing its contenst and sources of the selected verse, (2) tanalysing its vocabulary and grammartical style onorder to identify the functions, origins, categories, meanings, and translations of the terms

The Role in Buddhist Propagation of Phrarajavisuddhiñãna (Riddhirong Ñãnavaro) Wat Pa Darabhirom, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province

2025-06-17T20:24:35+07:00

The objectives of this research were 1) to study the roles in Buddhist propagation of Phrarachwisuttthiya (Riddhirong —„navaro), Wat Padaraphirom, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, 2) to study the problems in Buddhist propagation according to the roles of Phrarachwisuttthiya, Wat Padaraphirom, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, and 3) to analyze problems in Buddhist propagation according to the roles of Phrarachwisuttthiya, Wat Padaraphirom, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province.

The results of research were found that: The roles of Buddhist propagation of Phrarachwisuttthiya were as follows; 1) Regarding education, there was learning and teaching of Buddhist Scriptures in Dhamma department, Pali department, general department and Dhamma education. 2) Regarding Dhamma practice and moral training, there was teaching of primary Dhamma practice by mainly determining the breath, and 3) Regarding community development, Phrarachwisuththiyan was the president of the Rural Development and Study Foundation of Wat Padaraphirom. Problems in Buddhist propagation according to the roles of Phrarachwisuttthiya were as follows; 1) Regarding education, There were a small number of personnel which were not enough for the number of students, 2) Regarding Dhamma practice and moral training, there were a lack of personnel with knowledge and competence, and 3) Regarding community development, there was a lack of personnel with knowledge and competency in vocational training. Analysis of problems in Buddhist propagation of Phrarachwisuttthiya was found as follows; 1) Regarding education, there was a need to create and promote personnel and to raise fund from the government and private sectors, 2) Regarding Dhamma practice and morality training, extended period of Dhamma practice and construction of more accommodations and bathrooms, and 3) Regarding Community development, there was a need to create qualified personnel.