Mimbar Agama Budaya
Vol. 43 No. 1 (2026)

From Compliance to Internalization: Buddhist Chanting and Character Formation through Kelman's Theory and the Abhidhamma

Edi Priyono (Institut Nalanda, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Euis Dewi Yuliana (Universitas Hindu Indonesia, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
I Putu Sarjana (Universitas Hindu Indonesia, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia)
Hendri Hermawan (Institut Nalanda, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Dian Tika Sujata (Institut Nalanda, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Dariyanti (School of Commerce, Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, India)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Jul 2026

Abstract

Character education increasingly draws on religious and contemplative practices, yet how repeated ritual practice becomes internalized as character remains underexplored. This study examines character formation through chanting practice among students at the Institut Nalanda Jakarta dormitory by integrating Kelman’s theory of attitude change with the Abhidhamma perspective. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data were gathered through in-depth interviews with six purposively selected students, participant observation, and documentation, and analyzed interpretively. The findings show that chanting fosters character development through three processes: compliance, identification, and internalization. Students first participate because of institutional norms, then build social bonds through shared participation, and finally internalize the values as personally meaningful. From the Abhidhamma perspective, this transformation is interpreted through citta and cetasika, which underpin mindfulness, self-control, and ethical conduct. The study proposes an Attitude Change Pyramid modelling the movement from external practice to internalized character, offering a transferable lens for religiously grounded character education.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

mimbar

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Education Social Sciences

Description

Mimbar Agama Budaya is a peer-reviewed journal published by the Center for Research and Publication (PUSLITPEN), Research and Service Institute (LP2M) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. The Journal disseminates religious and cultural studies based on the original research and current issues which are ...