Buddhist Art as a Medium of Dhamma: A Powerful Tool for Cultivating Ethics in the Age of Globalization

Abstract

Corruption and moral decline are pressing issues that threaten the stability and development of the nation. While religion plays a key role in fostering morality within society, many individuals struggle to access or understand core religious teachings, contributing to the erosion of ethical values. Buddhist art has long served as a medium for moral cultivation, offering a means to communicate Dhamma quickly and effectively without requiring extensive textual engagement.

This study aims to analyze the role and effectiveness of Buddhist art in communicating Dhamma principles. It examines the forms of expression and public interpretations of Dhamma as conveyed through Buddhist art, while also proposing methods for adapting such art to contemporary social contexts. Comparative analysis is conducted on the evolution of religious art in both Christianity and Buddhism in response to changes in communication paradigms. The study further explores the challenges and factors influencing the modes of Dhamma communication through Buddhist art. The findings lead to recommendations for the development of national moral policies and an effective moral evaluation system. The study proposes a model in which temples and communities are
interconnected through state support, aiming to build sustainable moral
foundations for Buddhism and Thai society.