Buddhist Vision for Renewing Modern Thai Society of Somdet Phra Buddhaghosacariya (P.A.Payutto)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to study the Buddhist viewpoints of Somdet Phra
Buddhaghosacariya (P.A.Payutto) on the presentation and application Buddhadhamma
for renewing modern Thai society by studying and analyzing through his important
works. The result of this study shows that his main works, in addition to presenting the
Buddhadhamma and also analyzed the essence of the problems of Thai society, that
has developed the country into a modern civilization according to western society.
Until now, Thai society is under the era of globalization. Therefore, Thai society today
is not confronting problems due to globalization alone, which is only a matter of the
era, but critical problem which is the basis of all other human problems, resulting from
western civilization, that is “the problem of wrong basis of thoughts” or “the wrong
paradigm”. He indicated that now culture is based on the belief that human is superior
to nature, can overcome and control nature. Therefore, human can control, manage
and consume nature. This wrong belief leads to the crisis of human and society in
today. The world, now, is global and borderless but human’s mind is not. He has
presented his Buddhist views with a Buddhist paradigm. Its essence is based on to see
the truth that all things are related as cause and effect (dependent origination). In his
opinion, the Buddhist paradigm will create a balance between body, mind, society and
nature. It will lead to integration to make the sustainable and stable solution for man,
society, and nature. His Buddhist viewpoint is alternative solution for renewing modern
Thai society.