Integrating the concept of ecotheology into Hindu religious education in the perceptions of prospective Hindu religion teachers and pedagogical strategies in Hindu religious higher education institution

Environmental damage in Indonesia is an major issue because it is driven by economic interests and the perception that humans are superior to nature. This paradigm must change through integrating ecological understanding into inclusive religious education. The purpose of the research is to analyze how prospective Hindu teachers perceive the importance of ecotheology in the Hindu religious education system. The research used a qualitative grounded theory approach and collected data through surveys and interviews with 22 prospective religious teachers and students. Based on the data, 90% of participants believe it is very important to integrate the concept of ecotheology into Hindu religious learning through habituation and exemplary processes that incorporate the values of local wisdom. This provides an understanding that, for prospective religious teachers, the internalization of ecotheology in schools is very important, so that maintaining nature becomes a principle of life and a manifestation of religious behavior. It is hoped that the research will serve as a reference for future research and as a practical guide for developing an inclusive curriculum that integrates the concept of ecotheology into Hindu religious learning.