BUDDHIST METHODS FOR HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE 13TH NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN RESPONSE TO THE ENERGY AND COST-OF-LIVING CRISES

Abstract

This academic article aimed to analyze and propose integrated human resource development (HRD) pathways aligned with the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan, specifically focusing on Milestones 12 and 13. The scope of this study investigated the application of the Middle Way (Majjhima-patipada) framework and the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy to respond to the current energy and cost-of-living crises impacting grassroots security. Amidst contemporary globalization pressures, organizations must adapt to cultivate a high-performance workforce and enhance public sector efficiency. However, despite technological advancements, a critical gap remains in integrating spiritual-intellectual dimensions with digital lifestyles, leaving human resources vulnerable to consumerism and a lack of Yoniso-manasikara (analytical reflection) in distinguishing basic necessities from superficial desires. Consequently, the Buddhist approach to HRD served as a vital strategy for building resilience through "Sufficiency Competencies." Utilizing a descriptive analysis that synthesizes qualitative data from academic literature and the 13th National Plan, this study employed the Middle Way as a tool for elevating human capital. The content was structured into three primary sections: 1) building learning communities through the Middle Way principles, 2) driving self-reliant local innovations to mitigate expenditures, and 3) practicing for sustainability to cultivate sufficiency innovators who possess both technical proficiency and Buddhist wisdom. The findings indicated that upgrading human capital amidst current crises required a paradigm shift from purely technical training to establishing sustainable intellectual dynamics. By applying mindfulness to differentiate needs from wants and utilizing the Middle Way to balance morality, concentration, and wisdom (Sila, Samadhi, Panna), individuals can effectively execute decisions under volatility. The scholarly value of this research lied in identifying virtue as "Social Capital" that enhanced public policy effectiveness during crises. Policy recommendations emphasized that the public sector must urgently prioritize "Intellectual Discipline" as the core of human development to curb debt cycles and seamlessly integrate Buddhist principles with digital technology, ultimately leading to a progressive, secure, and sustainable society