The Amitābha Sūtra, one of the central scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism, presents a profound vision of reality grounded in both metaphysical and soteriological insight. From a philosophical perspective, the Pure Land (Sukhāvatī) is not merely a transcendent realm but a symbolic manifestation of pure consciousness, where being and awakening coincide. This paper explores the metaphysical structure of the Amitābha Sūtra through the lenses of Buddhist ontology and phenomenology, emphasizing the dialectical relationship between emptiness (śūnyatā) and luminous awareness (prakṛti-prabhāsvara). It further examines the soteriological implications of faith, vow, and practice (śraddhā, praṇidhāna, caryā) as modes of transformation leading from conditioned existence to the realization of the unconditioned. By situating the Amitābha Sūtra within a comparative philosophical framework, this study argues that its vision of “pure consciousness” contributes not only to Buddhist metaphysics but also to a universal philosophy of transcendence and liberation. The inquiry thereby bridges textual exegesis and philosophical reasoning, revealing the enduring relevance of Pure Land thought to contemporary reflections on being, mind, and salvation.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence applications – especially the general public availability of tools produced by Open AI, Google, Anthropic and Meta – have sparked widespread interest and controversy in both academic and popular discourse. Opinion is divided between optimists and pessimists – boomers and doomers – on the potential benefits and harms of the new technology, but there is general agreement that AI tools will have a substantial impact on work, education, science, medicine, entertainment, and general society and culture. In relation to the climate crisis and the need for responses in terms of sustainability changes, AI clearly has the potential to revolutionize efforts in this field, enhancing efficiency and optimizing resource use. However, on the debit side, the huge energy demand of AI development may exacerbate the current state of affairs and result in a disastrous downward spiral of energy overload and environmental degradation. Given these potential dangers, there is a need to locate AI developments within a framework of measures informed by de-growth philosophy which posits that sustainable futures require a re-evaluation of growth metrics, advocating for systems that support ecological balance and social equity. Education at all levels can play a crucial role in integrating AI with a robust and viable sustainability agenda through the fostering of critical thinking and awareness of the sustainability challenges. This article will explore the threats and promises of the new AI developments against the background of sustainability requirements and informed by de-growth strategies before examining ways in which teaching, learning and curriculum may support efforts in this domain.

Teacher productivity is a critical determinant of educational quality and student success in public secondary schools, yet Baringo North and Kesses sub-counties face notable challenges in this area, as evidenced by multiple reports of teacher underperformance in various sub-counties. This situation not only impairs the learning experiences of students but also undermines broader educational goals and national development initiatives. As the backbone of educational systems, teachers shape knowledge acquisition and significantly influence student outcomes. Higher teacher productivity is widely recognized to correlate with improved student learning achievements. However, numerous reports highlight instances of teacher underperformance in Baringo north and Kesses sub-counties. The study objective was to investigate the selected factors influencing teacher productivity. The theory which guided the study was the job demand resource theory framework. The study used the concurrent mixed method research design (QUANT + qual). The accessible population of the study was teachers, heads of departments, and principals of the selected schools in Kesses and Baringo North sub-counties. The researcher used Nassiuma's (2000) formula to get the sample size. A sample of 125 participants was selected using simple random sampling, and five key informants were selected purposively. The researcher's supervisors and experts from the Department of Educational Foundations assisted in validating the research instruments (questionnaire and interview schedule) by checking the research instrument against the study objectives. Questionnaire piloting was done in Moiben sub-county to test the reliability. A coefficient of .787 was obtained, indicating the reliability of the instruments. Questionnaires were administered to teachers and heads of departments, and key informant interviews (KII) were conducted among principals. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. Descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies) and inferential statistics (simple linear regression) were used, while qualitative data was analysed using QDA Miner software. A simple regression analysis was performed to determine the influence of selected parameters on teacher productivity. The results obtained were Y=4.199-.0.049. From the regression model, for every unit change in selected factors, teacher productivity changes by -.0449. This shows that increased selected factors lead to decreased teacher productivity. The results were Y=1.590+.666. From the regression model, for every unit change in the factors affecting teacher productivity teacher productivity changes by .666s. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education should work to mitigate the factors affecting teacher productivity in both areas. This will significantly contribute to improving the productivity of teachers.

One of the main tenets of Ho Chi Minh's extensive political and philosophical system is his view of the protection of the people. In addition to reflecting Vietnam's unique cultural and humanistic traditions, it is a creative continuation and expansion of Marxist-Leninist doctrine on revolutionary combat, national independence, and the role of the people in history. From a philosophical standpoint, Ho Chi Minh’s conception of people’s national defense reveals a dialectical unity between politics and ethics, theory and practice, national independence and peace, revolution and humanity. The essence of people’s national defense lies in the view that the people are both the foundation and the decisive force of defense; that defense is not merely a military affair but a political, economic, cultural, and social undertaking involving the entire population. On this basis, Ho Chi Minh established the principle of “all-people defense,” a defense built by the people, for the people, and rooted in the people’s will, solidarity, and moral consciousness. In the present day, Ho Chi Minh's ideas on people's national defense continue to serve as a theoretical and philosophical foundation for Vietnam's national defense strategy. It upholds the human-centered approach to socialist defense, combining material and spiritual power, independence and cooperation, patriotism and international solidarity. Ho Chi Minh elevated the concept of national defense to a moral and humanistic philosophy that transcends time and continues to have profound theoretical and practical value for Vietnam's cause of protecting and developing the nation in the new era.

This study looks at the living philosophy of the Khmer minority in Southern Vietnam, with an emphasis on how traditional ethical frameworks interact with contemporary social transformations. The study uses Theravāda Buddhist principles, communal activities, and philosophical analysis to examine how essential qualities like compassion (karuṇā), mindfulness (sati), and wisdom (paññā) continue to influence moral behavior and social cohesiveness. The study also looks at how modernization, such as education, economic development, and digital media, influences the adaption and reinterpretation of these ideals. Using a hermeneutic and dialectical method, the analysis shows that the Khmer community engages in a dynamic process of value harmonization, combining ancestral wisdom with modern knowledge and practices while maintaining ethical continuity. This research contributes to moral philosophy and intercultural ethics by illustrating a model of ethical resilience and contextualized universality, highlighting how local cultural traditions can adapt creatively to global changes while maintaining philosophical coherence. The findings have practical implications for cultural preservation, education, and community development, emphasizing the role of ritual, intergenerational dialogue, and ethical praxis in sustaining moral identity amidst social change.

This work examines two interconnected lines of research: the historical analysis of the foundations of the Middle East conflict through Karl Baumböck's text, The Jews in World Politics and the methodological study for the authentication and detection of forgeries in historical documents. Baumböck’s text presents a narrative identifying three main centers of Jewish power at the time: Weimar Germany, Bolshevik Soviet Union and American plutocracy. From this perspective, it describes a program of Jewish domination, detailing its influence on the economy, politics, the press, and culture in each of these centers. For the Soviet Union, it emphasizes the role of Jewish figures in the Bolshevik leadership. The text argues that the ultimate goal of this project was the establishment of a world government, using liberal democracy and Bolshevism as parallel tools to dissolve national and racial identities. The second part addresses the problem of historical forgery. It establishes that the veracity of documents fundamental to historiography must be verified through rigorous scientific methods. Applicable forensic techniques are explained, such as spectroscopic analysis of inks and paper, the study of typewriters to identify unique characteristics and the examination of illegible signatures. As a critical case study, the so-called Wannsee Protocol is scrutinized. Its authenticity is questioned due to circumstances such as its discovery in 1947, being the only existing copy and lacking a signature. An authentication protocol is proposed, including material analysis of the document to determine the potential use of anachronistic materials.

One of the core texts of Mahāyāna Buddhism, the Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra, presents a deep existential and moral worldview based on compassion (karuṇā). The sutra offers a dynamic ethical framework in which compassion serves as both the ontological foundation of existence and the route to emancipation, far from being purely devotional. Moral behavior is changed into a soteriological process of self-transcendence through the vows of Amitābha Buddha, where the limited human situation opens up to boundless life (amitāyus). This study investigates the sutra's ethical philosophy using the dialectical interplay between self-power (jiriki) and other-power (tariki), revealing how compassion bridges the conflict between individual agency and universal salvation. The Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra combines Buddhist moral theory with existential contemplation to present a vision of human fulfillment based on relationship and altruism. The thesis contends that the sutra's ethical vision goes beyond ceremonial piety to provide a universal philosophy of compassionate being applicable to both Buddhist and modern moral

The Contemplation Sutra is central to the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, although its philosophical elements have received little scholarly study beyond doctrinal exegesis. This paper addresses the sutra as a systematic "salvific paradigm," using phenomenological tools to explain the fundamental patterns of religious awareness and soteriological orientation. Through rigorous examination of the sutra's symbolic imagery, contemplative activities, and doctrinal formulations, the research uncovers a coherent framework in which faith cultivation, meditative visualization, and ethical discipline interact to produce transforming liberation experiences. Central motifs, including the luminous body of Amitābha, the architecture of the Pure Land, and the sequential practices of visualization, are interpreted as expressions of intentionality and numinous encounter, rather than mere ritual prescriptions. By situating the sutra within the phenomenological discourse of Otto, Eliade, and Husserl, the paper demonstrates how its narrative and symbolic elements constitute a rigorous philosophical system oriented toward human emancipation. The analysis further suggests that the Contemplation Sutra exemplifies a dynamic interaction between experiential insight and doctrinal articulation, providing a model for understanding religious texts as cognitive and affective systems. Ultimately, this study contributes to both Buddhist studies and philosophy of religion by offering a framework that interprets traditional devotional practice as a philosophically coherent structure, bridging the domains of textual scholarship, phenomenology, and ethical reflection.