BOOK REVIEW: STRATEGIES FOR TEMPLE REVITALIZATION, RESTORING DHAMMA, AND LEADING THE CITY

Abstract

This book review aims to analyze the structure, content, and academic value of “Wat-based Strategies: Restoring Dhamma and Revitalizing Society” as a work of culturally grounded community development that integrates religion with contemporary social development. The book introduces the concept of “wat-based foundation” as a key mechanism for revitalizing social capital and community relationships, emphasizing the role of temples as central spaces for learning, value creation, and participatory social engagement.

The analysis reveals that the book is distinguished by its integrative approach, combining perspectives from social sciences, Buddhism, and field-based experiences. This integration results in practical knowledge that effectively reflects real-world community development processes. Structurally, the book follows a process-oriented narrative, beginning with conceptual foundations, moving through practical strategies and case studies, and extending toward broader societal implications. However, from an academic perspective, the work demonstrates limitations in systematic organization, theoretical synthesis, and explicit engagement with international scholarly literature.

In terms of critical evaluation, the book’s strength lies in its emphasis on value-based and relational development, moving beyond purely economic or technical frameworks. It also shows potential as a conceptual foundation for community-level public policy. Nevertheless, the lack of clearly articulated models and limited comparative analysis with other theoretical frameworks constrain its broader academic applicability.

In conclusion, this book represents a valuable contribution as a practice-based academic work that offers a new perspective on community development in Thai society through the use of temples as foundational spaces for restoring values and social cohesion. Despite certain theoretical limitations, it holds strong potential for further development in both academic and practical domains.