Pāli–Theravāda Review Journal (PTRJ)

Synthesizing Research on Buddhism and the Outbreak Situation of COVID-19 Disease between 2020-2024

Manop Nakkanrian, Phramaha Weerachat Potha, Banchuen Nakkanrian — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research article was qualitative research, emphasizing documents. The objective was to create conclusions from a synthesis of research on Buddhism and the COVID-19 outbreak situation. The criteria for selecting research was to be research published in the Thai Journal Online (Thaijo) database and published within a period of 5 years, namely between 2020-2024. There were 10 research papers that were analyzed. The research synthesis used keyword analysis techniques using a packaged program for qualitative research for helping with data analysis.

The results of the research were found that Buddhism and the COVID-19 outbreak situation consisted of 5 elements : 1. developing oneself physically, socially, mentally and intellectually (3), 2. making holy water to be a spiritual anchor for people (2), 3. bowon power to develop a new way of life (2), 4. risk management (1) and 5. building mental, social, and economic strength (1). Therefore, Buddhism and the COVID-19 outbreak situation was a subset of public health emergency management and quality of life management. In addition, there was a relationship with 12 factors, including 1. the 4 principles of meditation 4 (4), 2. the principles of the Noble Truths 4 (3), 3. the principles of the Dhamma with great support 2 (2), 4. the principles of Pathāna 4 (2), 5. the principles of Brahmavihāra 4 (2), 6. the principles that lead to Right View (1), 7. Three Characteristic Principles (1), 8. 4 Iddhipāda Principles (1), 9. 4 Satipatthāna Principles (1), 10. 4 Sanghavatthu Principles (1), 11. 4 Dhammikattha Principles (1), and 12. 7 Sappurisadhamma Principles (1).

Integrating Buddhist principles with innovative communication to empower leaders in a new, peaceful way of life

Nopkwan Naknuan — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This academic article aims to explore the integration of Buddhist principles with innovative communication to empower leaders in the New Normal era and to present Buddhist communication innovations as a foundation for sustainable organizational peace. The study reveals that leadership in the New Normal faces challenges from technological volatility and generational differences. Empowerment must, therefore, transition from traditional command-and-control to shared power by integrating Buddhist peaceful means—specifically Samma-Vaca (Right Speech) and Kalyanamitra (Good Friendship)—with modern communication models (SMCR Model). This involves utilizing Yoniso-manasikara (Analytical Thinking) for information screening and Saraniyadhamma (Virtues of Fraternal Unity) as a mechanism for fostering solidarity in remote work environments. The findings indicate that Buddhist communication innovation elevates a leader’s spiritual capacity, fostering empathy and adherence to Dhammadhipateyya (Supremacy of Righteousness). This integration not only enhances operational efficiency but also cultivates Inner Peace among personnel, leading to a proactive culture of happiness and sustainable peace amidst crises.

Integrating the Six Principles of Righteousness to Enhance Political Culture in a Democratic System

Pakornkrit wangkum — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This academic article aims to propose guidelines for integrating the Six Principles of Saraniyadhamma (Virtues for fraternal living) to enhance the political culture in a democratic system of Thailand. It also analyzes the process of political socialization focusing on building a peaceful culture and sustainable coexistence. The study found that past Thai political crises were rooted in a lack of participant political culture and severe ideological polarization. Overcoming these challenges requires integrating Buddhist principles with political science through political socialization, utilizing the Six Principles of Saraniyadhamma as a fundamental framework for transforming citizen attitudes and behaviors. These include: 1) Metta-kayakamma, 2) Metta-vacikamma, and 3) Metta-manokamma, which foster goodwill towards those with differing views; 4) Sadharana-bhogi, for fair resource distribution; 5) Sila-samannata, for equal adherence to social rules; and 6) Ditthi-samannata, for open-mindedness to find common ground. This integration transforms democracy from a mere form of governance into a sustainable way of life, effectively reducing conflict and strengthening political stability based on non-violent principles.

Developing Factors Enhancing Public Consciousness Based on Buddhadhamma for Creating a Peaceful Society

Phramaha Weerapat Weerapatto — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This academic article aims to propose a framework for developing factors that enhance public consciousness by integrating Buddhadhamma to create a peaceful society. The study reveals that in contemporary society, which faces ethical crises and individualism, cultivating public consciousness is a vital mechanism for driving society toward peace. The enhancing factors consist of internal factors, such as mindful awareness and public spirit, and external factors, including the social environment and institutional support. In developing these factors, Buddhist principles are integrated, including the Four Sangahavatthu (Bases of Social Solidarity) for social assistance and cooperation, the Four Brahmavihara (Sublime States of Mind) to cultivate loving-kindness toward others, and the Six Saraniyadhamma (Virtues of Fraternal Unity) to foster harmony and mutual support. The integration of these Dhamma principles facilitates a transition from "acting out of duty" to "acting with wisdom and compassion," leading to sustainable self-sacrifice for the common good. The development of public consciousness through a Buddhist approach not only reduces social conflicts but also establishes the foundation of a peaceful society where members are empathetic, respect diversity, and share collective responsibility. This article suggests that creating a peaceful society must begin with developing individuals to have a "heart of giving," using Buddhadhamma as a compass to tangibly nurture the volunteer spirit at all levels of society.

Promoting the Health of Monks: Integrating Buddhist Doctrine and Discipline, the National Health Charter for Monks and National Sanitation Principles

Nuengruethai Poollap — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to study health promotion among Buddhist monks from the time of the Buddha to the present context, based on the principles of conduct according to Buddhist precepts in harmony with nature, and applying the National Health Charter for Buddhist Monks B.E. 2566 (2023) as a guideline for promoting the well-being of monks and their role as leaders in community health. A systematic content analysis of relevant documents and data was used.

The study found that Buddhist monks are facing a high level of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to limitations in their monastic lifestyle, such as restricted food choices during alms rounds, insufficient exercise and certain risk behaviors. Buddhism lays the foundation for health care through moderate eating, alms rounds, meditation and mutual care among monks, which aligns with the concept of holistic well-being. The article proposes integrating the Fourfold Meditation (the 4 P's) with health practices based on the 4 O's and the 5 R's of sanitation to create health literacy, a well-being-supportive environment and community cooperation, leading to the development of “A Sustainable Holistic Ecosystem for Monks: Physical, Mental, Social, and Intellectual Well-being”

Studying the strength of families according to Buddhist principles for the sustainability of society

Krittiya Tumtong, Winyou Kinasen — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article studies the strength of families according to Buddhist principles for creating social sustainability. Using content analysis of relevant documents and data, it was found that the family is the primary social institution that shapes its members, with its foundation based on the “Four Virtues of Harmony” (faith, morality, generosity and wisdom) and nurturing through “Four Kinds of Food” to develop quality of life in all dimensions. A strong family must possess five aspects of resilience: building relationships (Six Principles of Harmony), fulfilling roles (Six Directions), self-reliance (Four Forms of Meditation), building social capital (Four Principles of Social Harmony) and adapting to crises (Four Forms of Effort). This promotes members to become good citizens with morality and the ability to sustainably cope with changes in modern society.