Intersecta Minds Journal

Buddhism as Cultural Capital in Thailand

Phramahasarawut Phosrikham — 2026-01-01

This article examines Buddhism as cultural capital in Thai society, drawing upon sociological and anthropological perspectives on cultural capital. Utilizing Pierre Bourdieu’s tripartite framework embodied, objectified, and institutionalized cultural capital—it explores how Buddhism functions historically and contemporarily as a vital resource shaping Thai identity, morality, and institutions. The study illustrates how Buddhist values and practices are embodied in personal habits, objectified in sacred spaces and religious artifacts, and institutionalized in education and governance. It then analyzes contemporary challenges facing Buddhism as cultural capital, including consumerism, digital culture, and globalization. While these forces transform the meanings and practices of Buddhism, they also reveal its adaptability as a living resource that continues to guide cultural continuity and social change. The article concludes that Buddhism remains both a resilient and contested form of cultural capital, whose significance lies in its capacity to balance tradition and innovation in an interconnected world.

Cloud Computing Adoption in Business Organizations

Priyansh Sahu — 2026-01-01

Cloud computing has become an essential part of how modern organizations design, deploy, and manage their information technology systems. Over the years, businesses across different sectors have increasingly shifted from traditional on premises infrastructure to cloud based services in order to achieve greater flexibility, scalability, and operational efficiency. This paper examines cloud computing adoption in business organizations using the Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework, supported by recent large scale industry data. Current statistics indicate that approximately 94% of enterprises worldwide use cloud computing in some form, with 73% adopting hybrid cloud strategies and nearly 80% relying on multiple cloud service providers. While cloud platforms offer several benefits such as reduced capital expenditure, improved scalability, and faster time to market, organizations continue to face challenges related to security risks, cost control, and shortage of skilled professionals. Global public cloud spending is projected to exceed USD 720 billion by 2025, highlighting the growing importance of cloud technologies. The findings of this study emphasize that successful cloud adoption requires a balanced approach that considers technological capabilities, organizational readiness, and environmental influences.

Buddhist Criticism as a New Literary Criticism Theory and Its Applicability in Contemporary Literary Studies: The Case Study of Short Story Tram Ngan in Comparison with the Ullambaṇa SŪtra

Nguyen Thanh Trung — 2026-01-01

This research addresses the limited scope of contemporary Vietnamese literary studies conducted through the framework of Buddhist criticism. The study aims to comparatively analyze the short story Tram Ngan by Ngo Tu Ngan winner of the runner-up prize in the 2022–2024 Literary Newspaper Short Story Competition and the Ullambana Sūtra (Vu Lan Sūtra), in order to demonstrate the interpretive potential of Buddhist critical approaches when applied to both modern literary texts and classical Buddhist scriptures. Employing qualitative research methodology, the study is based on textual analysis and comparative interpretation. The research population consists of literary and religious texts, with the selected sample comprising Tram Ngan as a representative of contemporary Vietnamese short fiction and the Ullambana Sūtra as a foundational Mahayana Buddhist scripture. The primary research tools include close reading, thematic analysis, and Buddhist critical theory, particularly concepts related to suffering (dukkha), compassion (karuṇā), transcendence, and filial piety (filial gratitude). Data are analyzed through interpretive comparison to identify shared and divergent thematic structures and spiritual meanings.

The findings reveal that both Tram Ngan and the Ullambana Sūtra prominently reflect three shared characteristics: tragedy rooted in human suffering, compassion arising from empathetic understanding, and transcendence through moral and spiritual awakening. Notably, the Ullambana Sūtra introduces the explicit dimension of filial piety, which, when applied as an interpretive lens, offers new insights into Tram Ngan, particularly in terms of ethical responsibility and emotional redemption. This study affirms that Buddhist criticism is a valuable and effective approach for illuminating the deeper humanistic and spiritual dimensions of contemporary literature while simultaneously recontextualizing classical Buddhist texts. Ultimately, the research highlights the enduring relevance of Buddhist teachings in interpreting modern human experiences and reinforces the integrative relationship between literature and spiritual philosophy.

The Question of Identity in The South (Jorge Luis Borges) And the Centaur in The Garden (Moacyr Scliar) From the Perspective of Mādhyamaka Philosophy

Doan Tien Dat — 2026-01-01

This study investigates the issue of identity regarding Guedali in The Centaur in the Garden (Moacyr Scliar) and Juan Dahlmann in The South (Jorge Luis Borges) under the light of Nāgārjuna’s Madhyamaka (Middle Way) philosophy. The article is motivated by the awareness of the absence of a Buddhist approach in the research of these two works. The central thesis of the paper is, through Nāgārjuna’s method of deconstructing dualism, personal identity does not possess a fixed essence but is a process of sliding meaning, constructed within dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda). Regarding methodology, we utilize a combination of postcolonial criticism, comparative and post-structuralism methods for research. The results indicate that both works construct an indeterminate ontology, where all designations are provisional and temporary. Therefore, the paper affirms the value of Madhyamaka as an effective theoretical framework for re-reading the issue of identity in modern literature.

The Impact of Digital Financial Inclusion on Micro-Enterprise Performance in Southeast Asia

Worawit Woracharone — 2026-01-01

This study investigates the relationship between digital financial inclusion and the performance of micro-enterprises in Southeast Asia. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, sampling 350 micro-enterprise owners across Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Data were collected using structured questionnaires covering digital financial access, usage behavior, and business performance indicators. Statistical techniques including multiple regression and correlation analyses were applied. Findings reveal that digital payment adoption and access to mobile banking services significantly enhance revenue growth and financial resilience among micro-enterprises. The study concludes that digital financial inclusion plays a critical role in improving economic outcomes at the micro level, with policy implications for regional development and financial regulation. Limitations and recommendations for future research are addressed.