Nakhon Ratchasima – On 23 October 2026, Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmawatcharatheeracharn, Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), kindly presided over the opening ceremony of the "Vipassana Meditation Program for the Graduate Diploma Program in Teaching Profession, Academic Year 2026," organized by the Faculty of Education. The event will have been taking place from 23 to 25 October 2026, at the Mahachula Ashram Meditation Center in Phaya Yen Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

On this occasion, Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmawatcharatheeracharn delivered a compassionate opening address to provide guidance for personal conduct and the fulfillment of teaching duties for the participants, stating in part:

"The teaching profession is a high-level profession that requires both 'science' in imparting knowledge and 'art' in winning people's hearts. A teacher's duty is not merely teaching students to read and write, but also serving as a noble friend (Kalyanamitta) who guides them through life.

The Faculty of Education's integration of Vipassana meditation practice into the process of shaping teachers perfectly aligns with the university's philosophy. When teachers possess mental stability, mindfulness, and emotional self-control, it naturally fosters compassion and wisdom in solving problems. This transforms the classroom into a peaceful learning environment. I encourage all students to make the most of this valuable time to gain spiritual experience, serving as a guiding light for yourselves and an exemplary role model for your future students."

During the opening ceremony, Ajarn Dr. Weerapong Phaengkhamhak, Head of Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Director of Graduate Diploma Program in Teaching Profession, presented a report on the program's background. He stated that the university holds a vital mission to produce graduates with a strong focus on combining knowledge with virtue, enabling them to integrate Buddhist doctrines with modern sciences for practical application in daily life and their professional careers.

The program recognizes that "quality teachers" must possess knowledge, instructional skills, and, most importantly, mental stability, mindfulness, concentration, wisdom, and compassion. They must be capable of emotional control, self-regulation, and acting as good role models for students and society.

This year's program brought together a total of 120 executives, faculty members, staff, and students from the Graduate Diploma Program in Teaching Profession, guided by four main objectives:

1. To enhance students' knowledge, understanding, and practical experience regarding the principles and practices of Vipassana meditation based on Buddhist principles.

2. To instill morality, ethics, patience, responsibility, and professional consciousness suitable for the teaching profession.

3. To enable students to apply the Dhamma principles and spiritual experiences to their daily lives, studies, and professional duties.

4. To raise awareness of the value of Buddhism and enable students to apply mental development principles toward promoting ethics and student development effectively.

This Vipassana meditation program marks a significant milestone for Faculty of Education, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, in producing educational personnel who possess not only academic expertise but also deep mindfulness and wisdom, professional ethics and the true spirit of a teacher.