The Five-Stage Process of Mindful Dialogue for Peaceful Coexistence in a Multicultural Buddhist Academic Community

Abstract

This research article examines the development of the Five-Stage Process of Mindful Dialogue for peaceful coexistence in a multicultural Buddhist academic community at the International Buddhist Studies College (IBSC), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. The study has three objectives: first, to study the concepts and theories of mindful dialogue, together with the context, problems, and needs for peaceful coexistence at IBSC; second, to develop the process of mindful dialogue for living together peacefully in a multicultural society; and third, to propose the Five-Stage Process of Mindful Dialogue as a context-based model for peaceful coexistence. The study employed a qualitative research design, using documentary analysis of Buddhist texts and related literature, along with semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 21 purposively selected key informants, including administrators, lecturers, and students. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and analytical synthesis.

The findings reveal that mindful dialogue is grounded in Buddhist ethical awareness, mindfulness, right speech, wise reflection, and contemporary dialogue theory. In the IBSC context, participants encountered differences in language, culture, Buddhist tradition, doctrinal interpretation, communication style, and institutional role. These differences did not necessarily lead to conflict, but they required awareness, emotional regulation, ethical speech, clarification, and sustained engagement. The study identified five recurring communicative stages: awareness of difference, internal regulation, ethical communication, clarification and listening, and sustaining interaction. These stages form a circular and recursive process rather than a strictly linear sequence.

The article proposes the Five-Stage Process of Mindful Dialogue as a practical Buddhist-informed model for peaceful coexistence. The model shows that multicultural harmony is not maintained by eliminating differences or achieving complete agreement, but by sustaining relational continuity through mindful, ethical, and reflective communication. The study contributes to Buddhist studies, dialogue studies, and multicultural education by demonstrating how Buddhist ethical principles can be transformed into lived communicative practices within a multicultural academic community.