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Qualitative Study

| Published: December 10, 2024

An Indigenous Perspective on Cultivation of Compassion: A Qualitative study on Tibetan Buddhist Scholars in India

Tsering Choedon

PhD Scholar, Dept of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, The University of Delhi. Google Scholar More about the auther

, Parisha Jijina

Assistant Professor, Department of Education and Psychology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Google Scholar More about the auther

DIP: 18.01.171.20241204

DOI: 10.25215/1204.171

ABSTRACT

Our native traditions have rich literature on well-being and cultivation of positive emotions. However very little scientific research has gone into understanding positive emotions or strengths from an indigenous perspective.  The objective of this study was to understand Compassion from the lens of people ingrained compassion as a cultural and traditional practices. Awareness about Compassion is much needed for those in the helping professions such as psycho-therapists, nurses, doctors etc as over time, they are at risk for developing Secondary Trauma or Compassion Fatigue which exhausts the ability to work effectively.  Compassion is very central to Buddhism, it has been taught and practiced for millennia in three main Buddhist traditions: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. In this study five practicing male monks (Geshe-la) and five nuns (Geshe-ma) residing at monasteries and nunneries in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh were individually interviewed on the methods they used to cultivate Compassion, the difficulties/challenges they faced and the benefits of Compassion. Further, they were interviewed on how cultivation of Compassion helped dealing with destructive emotions such as anger. The interviews were transcribed and findings are discussed in conjunction with the personal vignettes shared by the monks and nuns. It is hoped that this study throws light on understanding of Compassion from an indigenous perspective and helps those struggling with Compassion fatigue.

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Responding Author Information

Tsering Choedon @ tchoedon@psychology.du.ac.in

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Article Overview

ISSN 2348-5396

ISSN 2349-3429

18.01.171.20241204

10.25215/1204.171

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Published in   Volume 12, Issue 4, October- December, 2024