Monastic Life and Mental Health: Exploring the Psychological Benefits of Meditation in Buddhist Traditions
คำสำคัญ:
Monastic life, Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, mental health, psychological resilienceบทคัดย่อ
This paper explores the connection between monastic life and mental health, focusing on the psychological benefits of meditation within Buddhist traditions. Monastic environments provide structured and supportive settings that enhance mindfulness, emotional regulation, and resilience through disciplined routines and contemplative practices. Central to these benefits are meditation techniques such as Samatha (calmness) and Vipassana (insight), which foster mental clarity and emotional strength. The study emphasizes the transformative potential of mindfulness-based interventions, derived from Buddhist teachings, to address contemporary mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, it examines how cultural adaptations of monastic practices have expanded their relevance in modern therapeutic contexts while maintaining their foundational principles. Through a synthesis of historical perspectives, empirical studies, and practical applications, the research highlights the enduring significance of Buddhist contemplative methods for promoting psychological well-being in diverse settings. The findings underscore the importance of integrating these ancient practices with modern psychological approaches to develop holistic mental health strategies.
References
Ahn J., Brown G. W., Cousins L. S., Cox C., Forman R. K. C., Gethin R., Gombrich R., et al. (2015). Is mindfulness Buddhist? (and why it matters). Retrieved from:https://core.ac.uk/download/323083175.pdf
Alissa Wieczorek, Florian Schrank, Karl-Heinz Renner, Matthias Wagner (2024). Psychological and physiological health outcomes of virtual reality-based mindfulness interventions: A systematic review and evidence mapping of empirical studies. Volume (10). Digital Health. Retrieved from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/01616142a14fe94eefae7b27ea0286b9cf3968c3
Awasthi, Bhuvanesh (2012). Issues and perspectives in meditation research: in search for a definition. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/74230124.pdf
Bee Scherer, Jeff Waistell (2017). Incorporating mindfulness: questioning capitalism.. Journal of Management Spirituality & Religion, (15), 123-140. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2017.1375424
Bukiet, Miles G (2018). Monasteries of the Future. https://core.ac.uk/download/219379118.pdf
Chhith, Saream (2016). Effective Interventions When Working With Cambodian Refugees: A Systematic Literature Review. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/217158955.pdf
Cook, J, Diemberger, H (2021). Buddhism. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/477690624.pdf
David Kishik (2023). Self Study. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.37050/hs-01
Graumans, Raissa A.P. 1977- (2025). STORIES, SYMBOLS, AND SELVES: FEMALE CONVERSION EXPERIENCES IN CONTEMPORARY TIBETAN BUDDHIST MONASTICISM. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/226153578.pdf
Griffiths, MD, Shonin, E, Van Gordon, W (2014). The emerging role of Buddhism in clinical psychology: Toward effective integration. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/30650561.pdf
Gyambo Sithey, Mu Li, Li Ming Wen, Patrick J. Kelly, Kelly Clarke (2018). Socioeconomic, religious, spiritual and health factors associated with symptoms of common mental disorders: a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Study, 2015. Volume(8), e018202-e018202. BMJ Open. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018202
Hollenberger, Jennifer C., Timbers, Veronica L. (2022). Christian Mindfulness and Mental Health: Coping Through Sacred Traditions and Embodied Awareness. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/548479784.pdf
Husgafvel, Ville (2016). On the Buddhist roots of contemporary non-religious mindfulness practice: Moving beyond sectarian and essentialist approaches. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/493085491.pdf
Husgafvel, Ville (2020). Meditation in Contemporary Contexts : Current Discussions. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/554077172.pdf
Jared R. Lindahl, D. James Cooper, Nathan E. Fisher, Laurence J. Kirmayer, Willoughby B. Britton (2020). Progress or Pathology? Differential Diagnosis and Intervention Criteria for Meditation-Related Challenges: Perspectives From Buddhist Meditation Teachers and Practitioners. Frontiers in Psychology, (11). Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01905
Jared R. Lindahl, Nathan E. Fisher, David J. Cooper, Rochelle K. Rosen, Willoughby B. Britton (2017). The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. PLoS ONE, (12), e0176239-e0176239. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176239
Jørn Borup (2020). Who Owns Religion? Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Cultural Appropriation in Postglobal Buddhism. Numen, (67), 226-255. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1163/15685276-12341574
Joseph Wielgosz, Simon B. Goldberg, Tammi R. A. Kral, John D. Dunne, Richard J. Davidson (2018). Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, (15), 285-316. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-093423
M. ScholarWorks (2019). Mindful Meditation and Misconduct: A Proposal. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/9c66a5ebdf5352246bee3862b8c8def22bcaa016
Mark S. Ferrara (2020). Peak-experience and the entheogenic use of cannabis in world religions. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, (4), 179-191. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2020.00122
Moye, Amir Josef (2025). Cultural Ripples and Brain Waves: Investigations into Mindfulness, Analytical Meditation, and Culture-Sensitive Research. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/619895246.pdf
Nandarathana, Rev. N., Ranjan, J. K. (2024). The Application of Theravāda Buddhist Meditation Practices and Techniques in Mindfulness-Based Interventions. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/616613483.pdf
Nicholas T. Van Dam, Marieke K. van Vugt, David R. Vago, Laura Schmalzl, Clifford D. Saron, Andrew Olendzki, Ted Meissner, et al. (2017). Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation. Perspectives on Psychological Science, (13), 36-61. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617709589
Percy, Ian David (2016). Mindfulness in counselling and psychotherapy: narratives from practitioners in Bhutan and Australia. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/195632032.pdf
Rebecca Crane, Judson A. Brewer, Christina Feldman, Jon Kabat‐Zinn, Saki Santorelli, J. Mark G. Williams, Willem Kuyken (2016). What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft. Psychological Medicine, (47), 990-999. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291716003317
Roberta Gilchrist (2019). Sacred Heritage. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108678087
Saroj Kanta Kar, Abhimanyu Chettri (2024). Anna-daan in Buddhism. Routledge eBooks. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003363996-5
Sharf, RH (2017). Is mindfulness Buddhist? (and why it matters). Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/323083171.pdf
Shaw, Sarah, Virtbauer, Gerald (2017). Understanding mindfulness: Current epistemological, methodological, and ethical issues. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/354401827.pdf
Sirimanne, Chand R. (2016). Buddhism and Women-The Dhamma Has No Gender. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/83085274.pdf
Weber, Daphne (2024). EXBODIMENT TRANSFORMED SUBJECTIVITIES IN A THAI BHIKKHUNI TEMPLE. Retrieved from: https://core.ac.uk/download/613179751.pdf