Conceptual Framework for Democratic Education Based on Buddhist Principles to Develop Quality Citizens

Abstract

This academic article aims to critically examine the concept of democracy within the framework of Buddhist principles through a qualitative documentary analysis. The study synthesizes and interprets primary sources from the Tipitaka, relevant commentaries, and contemporary scholarly works in political science and Buddhist philosophy. The findings indicate that Buddhism embodies normative principles congruent with democratic values, including freedom of thought, equality, participatory engagement, majority decision-making, and the doctrine of dhammacracy. These principles are systematically articulated in the Vinaya Pitaka and the Suttanta Pitaka, most notably in the procedures of Sanghakamma, which exemplify collective deliberation and consensual governance. The article proposes an integrative conceptual framework in which democratic principles, when harmonized with Buddhist ethical foundations, generate a robust moral and value-based orientation for educational development. This foundation is operationalized through democratic learning processes that emphasize active participation, rational inquiry, and respect for pluralism. The anticipated outcomes include the cultivation of quality citizenship characterized by public consciousness, moral integrity, and sustained social responsibility. The study contributes to the discourse on value-based democratic education by demonstrating the relevance of Buddhist thought to contemporary civic and educational paradigms.