Journal of the World of Happiness

Book Review: The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life

Chinnawat Thobbun

This book review aims to analyze and evaluate the key ideas presented in The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life by Parker J. Palmer. It focuses on the concepts of teacher identity, the inner life of educators, and their influence on the teaching and learning process through documentary analysis and academic interpretation. The study reveals that effective teaching is not primarily determined by instructional techniques or pedagogical strategies but by teachers’ self-awareness, authenticity, and willingness to embrace their own vulnerability while establishing genuine relationships with learners. The book emphasizes several significant concepts, including teacher identity and integrity, the culture of fear, hidden wholeness, the community of truth, and collaborative learning. These ideas portray education as a holistic process that nurtures intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth. From a critical perspective, the book's major strength lies in its profound integration of educational philosophy with teachers’ lived experiences. Although its reflective and philosophical language requires careful contemplation, it provides substantial value for teacher professional development, educational leadership, and the promotion of learner-centered educational communities. The book is highly recommended for teachers, pre-service teachers, educational administrators, and scholars interested in humanistic and spiritual approaches to education.

Book Review : Make Merit to Get Rich Written by Venerable Paisal Visalo

Nattha Suphautok — 2026-06-29

This book review examines Make Merit to Get Rich written by Venerable Paisal Visalo. Its objective is to analyze the book’s core ideas, strengths, observations, and academic and social contributions from the perspectives of Buddhist studies and contemporary applications. The review employs content analysis based on the book’s arguments together with fundamental Buddhist principles. The findings indicate that the book presents the concept of merit-making in accordance with Buddhist teachings by emphasizing that genuine prosperity is not merely material wealth but the result of cultivating wholesome actions, moral conduct, wisdom, diligence, honesty, and inner spiritual development. Such qualities constitute the foundation of lasting happiness and sustainable well-being. The book is distinguished by its clear and accessible language, practical examples, and effective integration of Buddhist teachings with everyday life, enabling readers to apply its principles in contemporary society. Although the inclusion of more explicit references to the Pāli Canon and deeper doctrinal discussions would further strengthen its academic value, the book remains a valuable contemporary Buddhist publication. It serves as an appropriate resource for teaching and learning in Buddhist studies, ethics, and social studies, while also providing practical guidance for moral development and the enhancement of individual and social well-being.

A Book Review of The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life

Phramaha Chinawat Suddhachino — 2026-06-29

This article aims to provide an academic analysis and critical review of The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher?s Life by Parker J. Palmer. The book argues that effective teaching is not primarily derived from pedagogical techniques or instructional strategies, but rather from the teacher?s inner identity, integrity, and lived experience. This article employs content analysis to examine key themes presented in the text, including teacher identity, professional vulnerability, the culture of fear in educational institutions, and the significance of learning communities.

The findings indicate that Palmer conceptualizes teaching as a vocation that integrates professional practice with the spiritual and moral dimensions of the teacher?s inner life. This perspective offers an alternative framework for understanding teacher development, emphasizing holistic growth over technical competence alone. The book contributes significantly to educational discourse by encouraging reflective practice and reaffirming the humanistic foundation of teaching, making it highly relevant for educators and scholars concerned with teacher education and professional sustainability in contemporary contexts.

Toward Sustainable Enhancement of Monastic Education: The Case of Surin Province

Phramaha Siriphong Chandapamojjo — 2026-06-29

This article aims to: 1) study the guidelines for promoting educational welfare in Buddhism; 2) study the current educational conditions of the Sangha in Surin Province; and 3) study the role of the Sangha in Surin Province in promoting sustainable educational welfare. The study employed qualitative methods, collecting primary and secondary data, along with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions from 5 key informants. The data were analyzed using content analysis and presented through descriptive interpretation.

The results of the study found that: 1) Guidelines for promoting educational welfare in Buddhism: These run parallel to the educational development of the Thai Sangha. Religious education encompasses the Dhamma, Pali, and General Education departments under the supervision of the Sangha Supreme Council. It adheres to the principles of Pariyatti (study), Patipatti (practice), and Pativedha (realization) to holistically develop monks and novices physically, morally, mentally, and intellectually. Educational welfare plays a vital role in assisting disadvantaged children and youth through charity schools and temple learning centers, reflecting the Sangha's role in human resource development. The evolution of Thai Sangha education has progressed continuously from the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Thonburi periods to the Rattanakosin era, adapting to the modern social context. This includes the establishment of Buddhist higher education institutions—Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and Mahamakut Buddhist University—to integrate Buddhism with contemporary sciences. Therefore, the promotional guidelines should focus on forging cooperation among all sectors, developing curricula and personnel, and utilizing temples as lifelong learning centers for the community, which will lead to the sustainable stability of the religion and Thai society. 2) Current educational conditions of the Sangha in Surin Province: The education operates within the multicultural context of the Mun River basin border. Temples serve as the community's center for education, morality, and social capital. The educational structure covers Dhamma, Pali, general education, and continuing education through networks of monastic institutions like Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. However, there are still disparities in resources, teaching personnel, and digital infrastructure, particularly in border areas. Many learners come from impoverished families with unequal educational backgrounds, while teachers face heavy workloads and inconsistent funding. Despite these limitations, the core strengths lie in local cultural capital and robust community networks, which can be developed into a network-based learning system to bridge the gap and sustainably elevate educational quality. 3) The role of the Sangha in Surin Province: The Sangha plays a crucial role in promoting educational welfare, with temples acting as learning centers and a refuge for disadvantaged children and youth in rural and border areas. Sustainable development must be anchored in the Trisikkha (Threefold Training) principle, coupled with the application of digital technology and respect for local multiculturalism to reduce educational inequality. Nevertheless, due to constraints regarding budget, personnel, and learning materials, it is imperative to establish collaborative networks and transparent funding in accordance with good governance principles. In conclusion, with continuous systemic strengthening, the education of the Sangha in Surin Province can develop securely and sustainably for the benefit of the learners, the religion, and society as a whole.

Therefore, this article serves as a beneficial database for formulating educational management policies for the Sangha in Surin Province. This aims to cultivate religious heirs who will sustainably carry forward Buddhism while keeping pace with global changes.

A Philosophical Lexical Analysis from phdict.online: The Category of Causality (Causation)

Chartgunlaphon Somyaphakdee — 2026-06-29

This article aims to conduct an analytical study of philosophical terminology in the category of Causality (Causation) by employing philosophical lexical databases and Buddhist canonical sources as its conceptual framework in order to elucidate the notion of the Law of Kamma within the context of Theravāda Buddhist philosophy. The study reveals that key terms—such as cause (hetu), condition (paccaya), volition (cetanā), action (kamma), and result (vipāka)—reflect a systematic causal worldview in which volition functions as the central mechanism transforming action into morally consequential kamma.Conceptual analysis further classifies these terms into three principal domains: universal natural laws, processual causation, and ethical responsibility. The findings also indicate a metaphorical expansion of the term “kamma” in Thai society, contributing to a semantic narrowing of its original neutral meaning. The discussion highlights the interrelationship between physical and mental phenomena in accordance with the principle of Dependent Origination, which explains the dynamic process of arising and cessation. In conclusion, a correct understanding of causality-related terminology cultivates a causally grounded worldview, diminishes fatalistic beliefs, and encourages the intentional cultivation of wholesome causes for beneficial outcomes in both individual life and society.

An analytical study of philosophical terms from phdict.online: Category A “metaphor”

Supattra Kotchasan — 2026-06-29

This article highlights an analytical study of the conceptual development of the direction and scope of the term "aesthetics" from Pradit's perspective, examining qualitative research methods through critical analysis of key concepts and etymological exploration to unravel the considerations through a system of pure sensory experience, addressing the understanding of intellectual value.

The study found that the term aesthetics has roots in the language of Aisthetikos, meaning the exploration of the senses through a system of initial calculation to separate from reality and its consequential effects.18 Alexander Baumgarten has presented this as a specialized case study in the "science of sensory psychology." The research structure can be examined from three main principles: 1) the objective principle that views beauty as a primary quality and discipline; 2) the objective principle that considers beauty through the feelings of pleasure and individual taste; and 3) aesthetic experience that emphasizes a state of focus over overlapping interests.

The conclusion of this study examines the dynamics of the term aesthetics, reflecting the interplay between emotion and reason. A thorough understanding of this term, therefore, does not necessarily mean a critical, superficial definition. Learning how humans value the world and art, as evident in the early stages of research, can effectively progress between exploring profound beauty and the deep aesthetic value.