Volunteerism as a Process of Mental and Moral Development: An Integrative Perspective Based on Bodhisattva Pāramī

Abstract

This research article aimed to: 1) examine the cultivation and practice of the Bodhisattva Pāramī in Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism; 2) investigate the concept of volunteer development in contemporary Thai society; and 3) analyze the integration of the Bodhisattva Pāramī with volunteer development for mental cultivation and social benefit. This qualitative study employed documentary research, including the Tipiṭaka, Buddhist scriptures, and related academic works, together with in-depth interviews involving 20 key informants, comprising seven monks and Buddhist scholars and thirteen volunteer practitioners. Data were analyzed through Content Analysis, Interpretation, and Meaning-based Coding to systematically identify and synthesize key themes. The findings revealed that: 1) Bodhisattva Pāramī practice in Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism shares the common goal of attaining Buddhahood and benefiting sentient beings, but differs in the emphasis of the practice. Theravāda emphasizes the continuous cultivation of Pāramīs and self-cultivation, while Mahāyāna emphasizes Bodhicitta, great compassion, and benefiting sentient beings together with self-cultivation; 2) volunteer development in contemporary Thai society still faces limitations from internal factors, including moral values, faith, life experiences, and intrinsic motivation, as well as external factors, including family, educational institutions, temples, communities, organizations, and social network; and 3) integrating Bodhisattva Pāramī practice with volunteer development can be explained as a human development process connecting moral cultivation, mental development, and social benefit through learning, moral cultivation, practical engagement, and learning from experience. The researcher presents these findings through the Bodhisattva Pāramī Integration for Volunteer Development Model (BPV Model), which explains the relationship among Pāramī practice, volunteer development, mental cultivation, and social benefit.