International Journal of Science and Applied Science: Conference Series P-ISSN: 2549-4635 Int. J. Sci. Appl. Sci.: Conf. Ser., Vol. 8 No. 2 (2024) E-ISSN: 2549-4627 https://jurnal.uns.ac.id/ijsascs doi: 10.20961/ijsascs.v8i2.95097 44 Student Character Development: How Do Buddhist Religious Retreat Activities Matter to Students’ Discipline at Schools? Epi 1* , Wiastina Seneru 2 , Juni Suryanadi 3 , Susanto 4 , Sidartha Adi Gautama 5 , Dittha Winyana Putra 6 Jinarakkhita Buddhist College of Lampung, Jl. Raya Suban, Pidada, Kec. Panjang, Kota Bandar Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia, 35241 epi@sekha.kemenag.go.id Abstract: This study aimed to find the Influence of Buddhist Religious Retreat Activities on Student Discipline. The problems that occur in students are the lack of awareness of students to maintain a learning atmosphere, low student responsibility for assignments, lack of understanding of students to sustain social interaction ethics, and lack of student participation in school activities. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey method. The population in this study was 89. The results showed that retreat activities positively and significantly influenced student discipline, with a t-value of 3.446 and a significance (p) of 0.001 <0.05. This indicates that retreat activities do have a positive effect on student discipline. Based on a simple linear analysis, the R square value of 0.120 suggests that retreats contribute 12.0% to discipline, while the other 88.0% is influenced by different factors, such as the school environment, family, and peers. This confirms that retreat activities are only one component in forming discipline, while other factors outside of spiritual activities also have an essential role in creating the character and self- development of students. Keyword: Retreat Activities; Discipline; Students Character Building 1. Introduction Education in Buddhism is a learning process involving intellectual teaching and moral and spiritual development [1]. Close interaction between educators and students is crucial in learning [2]. In the sigalovada sutta, Gautama Buddha explains educators' five responsibilities: providing comprehensive instructions, ensuring students' understanding, equipping them with solid skills, recommending them to others, and creating a safe learning environment. Educational institutions face challenges in providing space for students to engage in religious activities that follow their beliefs, which can contribute to the formation of good behavior [3], [4]. Education is not only limited to academics but also involves activities that support character development, such as retreats. This activity is effective in helping students develop their character and discipline [5]. The formation of disciplined behavior in students can be obtained by doing or participating in retreat activities [6], [7]. Retreat activities are a development of the vassa period, where monks practiced more intensively during the vassa period because, in Buddha's time, the monks'