Mahamakut Graduate School Journal

Secularism 4: The Art of Intergenerational Coexistence in a Mindful Family

Jitsarinpron Panjawattanakun — 2025-06-30

The article “Secularism 4: The Art of Intergenerational Coexistence in a Mindful Family” explores how Buddhist principles can foster peace within families amid the rapid transformations of contemporary technology and culture. In an age marked by generational gaps and evolving values, mutual understanding across different stages of life within a household has become a critical issue for well-being and harmony. Buddhism offers a timeless approach to living together artfully through the Four Virtues of a Householder (Gihisãmĩcipaṭ̣ipadã) – truthfulness (sacca), self-discipline (dama), patience (khanti), and generosity (cãga) – which serve as foundational elements for deep self-awareness and empathetic connection with others.

This article analyzes these virtues in relation to the three life stages as defined in Buddhist thought: early life (paṭ̣hamavaya), middle life (majjhimavaya), and late life (pacchimavaya). Through an interdisciplinary framework that integrates Buddhist philosophy, developmental psychology, and moral inquiry, the paper demonstrates how these teachings can be applied to strengthen intergenerational relationships and promote a peaceful family dynamic.

The findings suggest that the family can become a sacred space for awakening and spiritual growth. This ideal is encapsulated in the concept of HOME, a model consisting of four dimensions of mindful living: 1) H = Harmony – the ethical dimension, emphasizing the beauty of moral cohesion nurtured within the family; 2) O = Openness – the relational dimension, representing the willingness to share and live meaningfully with one another; 3) M = Mindfulness – the contemplative dimension, guiding the attainment of inner peace; 4) E = Evolution – the developmental dimension, affirming the continual growth of each individual.

Together, these dimensions reflect the essence of the Four Virtues of a Householder – not merely as tools for physical coexistence but as a spiritual art of living, grounded in listening, understanding, and awakening in relation to one another.

Application of the Principle of Loving-kindness in Building Peace in Society

Narachai puyla — 2025-06-30

The article titled "Application of the Principle of Loving-kindness in Building Peace in Society" aims to present the meaning and importance of the principle of loving-kindness in Buddhism. It is a fundamental virtue that emphasizes genuine desire and compassion towards others, including humans, animals, and nature, without discrimination or limitations of time and place. Loving-kindness is a feeling and attitude that spreads across the world, aiming to create happiness and goodness for all beings. It encourages humans to consistently and sincerely exhibit kindness through various activities such as meditation practices, spreading loving-kindness, helping others, and striving for understanding and harmony in society for a peaceful and just life. This approach helps reduce conflict, hatred, and division in society. Additionally, it highlights that the principle of loving-kindness can be applied in four key areas: 1) Understanding and accepting individual and group differences, 2) Providing assistance and showing genuine kindness to others on all occasions, 3) Promoting harmony and unity within various groups without segregation, and 4) Developing one's own mind and ethics to create a society filled with understanding and lasting happiness. This approach serves not only as a crucial mechanism for establishing a peaceful society but also as a foundation for fostering understanding and cooperation at both national and global levels, enabling humans to coexist peacefully and genuinely happily at all levels of life and around the world.

The Path of Awakening in Buddhism and Mental Development in the Digital Age

Nawamin Saribut — 2025-06-30

In the digital age characterized by rapid technological growth and pervasive influence in every aspect of daily life, the principles and teachings of Buddhism regarding the path of awakening (mindfulness and conscious awareness) become increasingly significant for mental health and emotional balance. The practice of mindfulness and conscious awareness within the Buddhist context not only helps individuals live fully in the present moment with clarity and intent but also serves as a vital mechanism to reduce confusion, stress, and mental imbalance caused by exposure to digital media and information overload. The application of these principles through various techniques—such as mindful breathing, observing thoughts and feelings, and utilizing technology as reminders—provides sustainable ways to cultivate inner peace and enhance mental well-being. This article emphasizes the importance of cultivating mindfulness and awareness in everyday life to develop a resilient, compassionate mind that is balanced and perceptive of the digital world, thereby fostering lasting peace and harmony.

Kāyagatāsati Bhāvanā: The Cultivating Subjective Process of Arousing Mental State

Somsak Ounephaivong — 2025-06-30

Consideration of the body according to the Four Foundations of Mindfulness involves establishing mindfulness in relation to the body. This includes being aware, observing, knowing, and seeing the body as it truly is. It involves observing the body to see its arising and its inevitable decay, and firmly anchoring one's mindfulness in the body with a sense of detachment. It is not about clinging to the body but recognizing its existence for the sake of understanding the truth. When considering the body in this way, all cravings and wrong views gradually diminish, and one becomes transparent, free from any firm grasping of anything in the world. There are six categories for the practical application of this approach: The category of in-and-out breathing refers to establishing mindfulness of the breath, being aware of the breath as it naturally occurs, and ceases (rises, falls) in its ordinary course. The category of postures refers to establishing mindfulness in various bodily postures on walking, standing, sitting, lying down. It involves being aware of any bodily posture as it naturally occurs and ceases (arises, changes) in its ordinary course. The category of activities refers to establishing mindfulness in daily activities, including activities such as walking, stepping, looking, eating, drinking, speaking, and excreting. It involves being aware of these activities as they naturally occur and cease (arise, change) in their ordinary course. The category of repulsiveness of the body refers to establishing mindfulness by recognizing the body as something repulsive, composed of hair, nails, skin, and so on. It involves being aware of this body from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head, realizing that it consists of various internal and external organs that arise and eventually decay (arise, change) in their ordinary course. The category of elements refers to establishing mindfulness by recognizing the four elements: earth, water, fire, and air. It involves being aware of the body in terms of these four elements, realizing that they arise and eventually cease (arise, change) in their ordinary course. These are the six categories for the practical application of mindfulness in relation to the body.

The Role of Mindfulness (Sati) in Theravada Literatures Critical Analysis

Thich Nguyen The — 2025-06-30

This paper critically examines the role of mindfulness (sati) in Theravāda Buddhist literature, with a particular focus on its textual foundations in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10; DN 22). While sati is widely regarded as a central meditative faculty, its presentation in canonical texts reveals complex doctrinal layers and interpretive ambiguities. Through textual analysis, especially of the sutta's key refrain—emphasizing non-clinging and bare awareness—this study explores how sati functions as both a cognitive tool and a soteriological method aimed at insight and liberation. The paper critiques modern interpretations that often decontextualize sati, highlighting how contemporary mindfulness movements may dilute its ethical and philosophical dimensions. Drawing on critical scholarship, including works by Anālayo, Gethin, and Sujato, the study argues that sati in its traditional Theravāda context is not merely a technique for mental well-being, but a profound practice of disidentification and transcendence. This analysis contributes to a more nuanced understanding of mindfulness by situating it within its broader doctrinal, historical, and textual landscape.