The mirror of Dhamma—Dhammādāsa Dhammapariyāya as a Buddhist model in reducing fear of death among the Theravāda Buddhist practitioners
Item and associated files
Author
Sraman, Chanda Sara See all items with this value
Date
2025
Degree
Doctor of Buddhist Ministry
Committee
Gauthier, Jitsujo Tina
Kuo, Shou-Jen
Nanda, Amrita
Abstract
The study explores the impact of the Mirror of Dhamma—Dhammādāsa Dhammapariyāya, as found in the Mahāparinibbānasuttaṃ, on reducing death anxiety among Theravāda Buddhist practitioners. While numerous studies have examined the effects of Buddhist practices such as mindfulness meditation on death anxiety, this specific teaching has not been investigated in empirical research. The central thesis of this study is that the Mirror of Dhamma—Dhammādāsa Dhammapariyāya can help Theravāda Buddhist practitioners reduce death anxiety, enabling them to approach death with peace when the time comes.
To investigate this claim, a mixed-method research design was used, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nineteen self-identified healthy Theravāda Buddhist practitioners (17 males, 2 females; 10 laypersons, and 9 monastics), aged 18 to 70, were recruited through convenience sampling. Over an eight-week period, participants engaged in 34 structured sessions based on the Mirror of Dhamma framework. Quantitative data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Revised Death Anxiety Scale, the Religiosity Orientation Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, with analysis conducted employing the SPSS Statistical Software (Version 29). Qualitative data were generated through 8 open-ended interview questions and analyzed using Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenological method.
The results showed a significant reduction in death anxiety and a significant increase in self-esteem levels following the intervention. Although overall religiosity slightly increased, a distinction emerged between intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity: intrinsic religiosity rose modestly, whereas extrinsic religiosity declined over the study period. These findings support the study’s central thesis and address the three research questions and eight hypotheses.
This research introduces a new dimension of inquiry in Buddhist studies by empirically investigating how Buddhist approaches can alleviate death anxiety. The study offers profound insights for Theravāda Buddhist practitioners seeking to cultivate inner peace and spiritual readiness earlier in facing death and loss. Moreover, the findings suggest that Buddhist teachings, when appropriately applied, can strengthen emotional resilience and spiritual clarity amidst life’s inevitable suffering
Further research is recommended using a larger and more diverse sample, employing both control and experimental groups to enhance the validity of findings. Additionally, longitudinal studies should be conducted to determine the long-term effectiveness of this Buddhist intervention in alleviating death-related fears. Finally, a condensed version of this intervention should be tested among Theravāda Buddhist patients in hospice and elderly homes to assess its effectiveness in end-of-life care settings.
To investigate this claim, a mixed-method research design was used, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nineteen self-identified healthy Theravāda Buddhist practitioners (17 males, 2 females; 10 laypersons, and 9 monastics), aged 18 to 70, were recruited through convenience sampling. Over an eight-week period, participants engaged in 34 structured sessions based on the Mirror of Dhamma framework. Quantitative data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Revised Death Anxiety Scale, the Religiosity Orientation Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, with analysis conducted employing the SPSS Statistical Software (Version 29). Qualitative data were generated through 8 open-ended interview questions and analyzed using Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenological method.
The results showed a significant reduction in death anxiety and a significant increase in self-esteem levels following the intervention. Although overall religiosity slightly increased, a distinction emerged between intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity: intrinsic religiosity rose modestly, whereas extrinsic religiosity declined over the study period. These findings support the study’s central thesis and address the three research questions and eight hypotheses.
This research introduces a new dimension of inquiry in Buddhist studies by empirically investigating how Buddhist approaches can alleviate death anxiety. The study offers profound insights for Theravāda Buddhist practitioners seeking to cultivate inner peace and spiritual readiness earlier in facing death and loss. Moreover, the findings suggest that Buddhist teachings, when appropriately applied, can strengthen emotional resilience and spiritual clarity amidst life’s inevitable suffering
Further research is recommended using a larger and more diverse sample, employing both control and experimental groups to enhance the validity of findings. Additionally, longitudinal studies should be conducted to determine the long-term effectiveness of this Buddhist intervention in alleviating death-related fears. Finally, a condensed version of this intervention should be tested among Theravāda Buddhist patients in hospice and elderly homes to assess its effectiveness in end-of-life care settings.
Keywords
Religion See all items with this value
Theology See all items with this value
Mental health See all items with this value
Spirituality See all items with this value
Buddhist chaplaincy See all items with this value
Humanist chaplain See all items with this value
Theravāda Buddhist See all items with this value
Anxiety See all items with this value
Death-related fears See all items with this value
Degree Granter
University of the West
ISBN
9798290941110