Integrative Buddhist Wisdom: Knowledge, Practices and Social Values Enhancement in ASEAN

Abstract

The objectives of this research paper were 1) to study the body of knowledge and Buddhist practices, 2) to study the integration of Buddhist knowledge and practices with society in ASEAN, and 3) to analyze the development of integrated Buddhist wisdom with the social values enhancement in ASEAN. It was a qualitative research by studying the documents consisting of primary information, secondary information, and interview of experts who were well-versed in integrated Buddhist wisdom in ASEAN. The results of the research were as follows: 1) the body of knowledge and Buddhist practices in fine arts, painting, sculpture and Dhamma was transmitted through various forms of fine arts, telling stories about Buddhism, tales and moral lesson that can be studied from the mural of the Buddhist temple, Viharn, temple wall, Prasat, and palace that represented the lifestyle of community at that time. This was the wisdom to create media for the audience to be able to understand the Buddhist teachings, 2) in the aspect of the integration of knowledge and Buddhist practices with the society in ASEAN, there must be access to the underlying Buddhist concept. In particular, Buddhist art which was a Buddha image, such as the pointed head means wisdom, lop-eared (Hu Yan) means patience, look down means to carefulness, ordered fingers means unity, led to education and practices in life and to accept traditions, ethnic history, attitudes and values in the ASEAN region, and 3) in the aspect of the development of Buddhist wisdom and social values enhancement in ASEAN, Buddhist teachings must be used as the core in the integration by adhering to metta (compassion), katanyukatavedi (gratitude), samakki (unity) and majjhenadhamma (moderate practice) in harmony with life In developing ASEAN society towards sustainable peace and tranquility.