Integrating Buddhist Wisdom into Mental Health Care  for Mind Healing

PhraSomchai  Yanissaro

Authors

PhraSomchai Yanissaro Wat Chan Kapho, Pathum Thani, 12160, Thailand

Abstract

This article aimed to study: (1) the concept of mental healing from the Buddhist perspective, (2) the integration of Buddhist principles with contemporary mental health care, and (3) the synthesis of an integrative Buddhist model of mental healing for mental health care. The research employed a qualitative methodology, drawing on Buddhist philosophy and holistic healing theories as the research framework. The research area focused on documentary studies and related research on Buddhist approaches to mental healing. The target sources comprised 45 academic documents and research articles published between 2018 and 2023, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included: (1) a document analysis form, (2) an expert interview form, and (3) a credibility verification form. Data were analyzed using content analysis and conceptual synthesis, and findings were presented in descriptive narrative form.

The research results revealed the following. 1. Buddhist mental healing is grounded in the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, emphasizing the understanding of the nature of suffering and the path to liberation. 2. The integration of Buddhist principles with mental health care enhances the effectiveness of healing through mindfulness practice, the cultivation of wisdom, and the reframing of perspectives. 3. The integrative Buddhist mental healing model consists of five key components: mindfulness (sati), wisdom (paññā), loving-kindness (mettā), concentration (samādhi), and perseverance (viriya). The study proposes an integrative Buddhist mental healing model that can be applied to holistic mental health care and serves as a guideline for developing healing innovations aligned with the Thai socio-cultural context

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