Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and the Learning Space at Suan Mokkh: Guidance Toward Becoming Complete Human Beings
Keywords:
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, complete human beings, learning space, Suan MokkhAbstract
This article aims to examine the learning space at Suan Mokkh, where Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu provided guidance toward becoming complete human beings. The main contents comprise: (1) Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and the revival of Buddhism, (2) the learning space at Suan Mokkh, and (3) Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's guidance toward becoming complete human beings through the learning space at Suan Mokkh.The results of the study indicate that (1) after the middle of the Buddhist Era, as a devoted disciple of the Buddha who strictly adhered to the Buddhist way of life, Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu sought to reform Buddhist teachings in Thailand to align with contemporary developments and support social, economic, and political development. He placed greater emphasis on the practice of Dhamma as a means of addressing various problems arising from moral decline; (2) to promote the practice of Dhamma, he established Suan Mokkh as a learning space to cultivate and develop people through Dhamma; and (3) he provided guidance and taught Dhamma within the learning space at Suan Mokkh to guide individuals toward becoming complete human beings.
References
BIA Thai. (n.d.). Buddhadasa Bhikkhu in the memories of Vichak Panich. Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://main.bia.or.th/500044-2
Brown, M. (2005). Learning spaces. In D. G. Oblinger and J. L. Oblinger (Eds.), Educating the net generation (Chap. 12). EDUCAUSE. https://www.educause.edu/ir/library/PDF/pub7101.PDF
Buddarikviwat, T. (1987). Scholar and Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. Polpankanpim Company Limited.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1972). Dhamma as therapy machine. Lacking Student Helping Foundation Suratthani.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1974). If the communists come, Buddhism can still survive. Buddhist Restoration Organization.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1994). Actions that are right for humanity. Pabpim.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1995). Buddhadasa Suan Mokkh: Power of liberation. Pabpim.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1996). Article series: The last scene of the living—Voices from the coffin. Sitthiprasert Printing House.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1998). Layman. Dhammasapa.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1999). Dhammathasa of Buddhadasa: Seeing the truth. Sukpab Jai.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (2006). Ways of practicing Dhamma in Suan Mokkh. Dhammasapa.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (2009). Manual of human beings. Chumnum Sahakorn Kankasert of Thailand Printing House.
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (2013). Practice Dhamma. Buddhism Printing House of Dhammasapa.
Bunditchon, D. (1997). Concept of human beings in Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s view [Master’s thesis, Chiang Mai University].
Boonyarit, I. (2022). Editorial. Journal of Learning Sciences and Education, 1(1). https://so07.tcithaijo.org/index.php/JLSEd/article/view/3315
Bunyarith, S. (2023). Buddhism and the nature of the universe. Office of Administration and Academic Development, Maejo University.
Cheychiensakul, I. (2009). Ven. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and the power of materialism. Sukpab Jai.
Cheychiensakul, I. (2010). Access to one’s own religion according to the aspiration of Master Buddhadasa Bhikkhu [Final research report]. Suratthani Rajabhat University.
Intongpan, P. (2017). Buddhism and environment (2nd ed.). Kasetsart University.
Jackson, P. A. (2013). Buddhadāsa: Theravada Buddhism and modernist reform in Thailand (M. Dejnakarintra, Trans.). Chulalongkorn University Press. (Original work published 2003)
Kongleh, J. (1998). A study of Suan Mokkh’s role in Chaiya District, Surat Thani Province [Master’s thesis, Thaksin University].
OPTIMISE. (n.d.). The liberation lab: Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and an experimental process for awakening beyond time. https://optimise.kkpfg.com/thinking_big_19.php
Pongpiboon, N. (1994). Passing through the flowing stream. Kiew-Kaow Pimpakan.
Pongpis, S. (2005). Philosophy of life: Think outside the box. Palang Panya Publisher.
Prachayapirk, A. (2017). Learning space design for higher education institutions in the 21st century. Dusit Thani College Journal, 11(2), 379–392. https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journaldtc/article/view/120461
Project of Concept, Life, and Performance of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1998a). Aspiration: To continue the aspiration of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, version 1—Causes of crisis. Sukpab Jai.
Project of Concept, Life, and Performance of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. (1998b). Aspiration: To continue the aspiration of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, version 2—By what principles should life be governed? Sukpab Jai.
Sommai, P. (2013). An analysis of the roles of Phradhamakosajarn (Buddhadasa Bhikkhu) in the dissemination of Buddhism [Master’s thesis, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University].
Somsak, P. (2019). Figures of speech in the Dhamma communication of Suanmokkhaphalaram in Surat Thani Province [Doctoral dissertation, Rangsit University].
Suratthani. (2006). Travel in Suan Mokkh to reach Dhamma. Plan Motive Company Limited.
Tayahathai, T. (2022). Learning space for Thai classical music in the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute. Education Journal, Silpakorn University, 20(1), 289–331. https://so02.tci-aijo.org/index.php/suedujournal/article/view/248746
The Government Public Relations Department. (2024, June 6). Following the footsteps of Buddhadasa’s Dhamma: Suan Mokkhaphalaram Dhamma practice center. https://www.prd.go.th/th/content/page/index/id/294856
Visalo, P. (2008). Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and the culture of awakening. https://www.visalo.org/article/budBuddhadasa.htm
Yussayotha, A. (2003). Knowledge: Navigating the essence of Dhamma of Ven. Buddhadasa. The Thailand Research Fund.
