Integrating Buddhist Teachings into Social Studies: A Transformative Approach to Education in Thailand

Abstract

This paper explores the integration of Buddhist teachings into Social Studies education in Thailand, emphasizing the role of Buddhist principles in promoting ethical behavior, social harmony, and compassion. The curriculum framework includes key Buddhist concepts such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Five Precepts, and the Four Sublime States. These teachings are applied in lessons that address social justice, citizenship, and moral development. Through case studies of educational institutions like Wat Phra Dhammakaya schools and Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, the paper highlights how Buddhist principles are effectively used to foster ethical leadership, community engagement, and cultural preservation. Challenges such as balancing religious and secular education, teacher training, and student engagement are discussed, along with government policies that support the integration of Buddhist teachings into the national curriculum. The paper concludes with recommendations for expanding Buddhist-based Social Studies education across Thailand and considers the broader implications for integrating religious values into education systems in other culturally homogeneous societies.