CREATION OF THAI CONTEMPORARY DANCEFROM THE KALAMA SUTTA
Keywords:
Creativity; Contemporary Thai Dance; Kalama Sutta; Moral Awareness; YouthAbstract
This study aims to develop a contemporary Thai dance performance inspired by the Kalama Sutta to promote moral awareness and critical thinking among youth. A mixed-method approach was employed, including document research, observation, interviews, artistic creation, and questionnaires. The findings emphasize the core principle of the Kalama Sutta—critical evaluation before believing information—which is crucial in the digital era, where misinformation, particularly online gambling advertisements, poses ethical risks. Based on this concept, the researcher created the performance "The Guiding Light of the Kalama Sutta," structured into six acts: (1) Character Introduction, (2) Pursuing Dreams, (3) The Rise of Unwholesome Roots, (4) Falling into Online Gambling, (5) The Abyss of Evil, and (6) Awakening through the Guiding Light of the Kalama Sutta. The creative process followed ten stages, from conceptualization to final editing and public dissemination. The performance was presented to 100 high school students in Bangkok. A pre-test and post-test revealed an increase in the median score from 6 to 9, indicating improved understanding of the Kalama Sutta. The findings highlight the effectiveness of contemporary Thai dance as an engaging medium to interpret Buddhist teachings and address modern youth challenges by transforming abstract concepts into tangible artistic expressions.
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