Exploring Buddhism as a ‘Tool’ to Support Well-Being: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Western Adopters’ Experiences
Li Laurent, David Sheffield, Fiona Holland
Pastoral Psychology July 14, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s11089-021-00962-5 via OpenAlex
Summary
Nichiren Buddhists in the UK who practiced for at least three years reported significant benefits from their beliefs and practices. They found meaning in all experiences, viewed Buddhism as a crucial tool for managing life, and felt a strong sense of agency over their destinies. The study highlights the potential of Buddhism to enhance well-being, suggesting further exploration is needed in this area.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Population | Nichiren Buddhists from the United Kingdom |
| Key finding | Participants reported that their Buddhist practice significantly contributed to their health, well-being, and sense of purpose. |
Abstract
Abstract Buddhism is an ancient religion and philosophy of living that is practised worldwide. More recent interest in mindfulness as a practice and intervention in the West has highlighted Buddhist-derived concepts as useful in supporting health and well-being. As a result, the desire to understand Buddhism in its more complete form has strengthened. Although research into mindfulness and compassion is growing, there is a new interest in second-generation mindfulness, i.e. interventions that draw upon a more holistic use of Buddhist practices. To date, little research has explored this in Western contexts. For the current study, Nichiren Buddhists from the United Kingdom who had been practising for at least three years were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their experience of this practice and how it informed their approach to daily life and, in particular, their health and well-being. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was employed as a method to understand the participants’ experiences. Three themes were generated using an inductive approach: (1) finding meaning—“All experiences have got so much value now”— which reflected the participants’ determination to seek purpose and value in all aspects of their life; (2) Buddhism as a needed ‘tool’—“I use it all the time”—which revealed their practice as an important method to help them manage their lives; and (3) agency—“I’m in control of my destiny”—which highlighted the participants’ engagement (supported by their Buddhist practice) in taking responsibility for their actions and responses. Findings indicate the need for future studies to further explore Buddhism as a mechanism for enhancing and sustaining well-being.