Holistic Quality of Life Development Based on Theravada Buddhist Philosophy
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Abstract
This study aimed to (1) investigate the concept of holistic quality of life development; (2) examine Theravada Buddhist philosophical principles related to holistic quality of life; and (3) analyze holistic quality of life development based on Theravada Buddhist philosophy. A hermeneutic qualitative methodology was utilized via documentary analysis of the Tipitaka, commentaries, and pertinent contemporary academic literature. The results revealed that the notion of quality of life had shifted from a narrow focus on physical and economic indicators toward a holistic perspective integrating physical, mental, social, and spiritual dimensions. These dimensions were consistent with the fourfold Buddhist cultivation (Bhavana 4): physical, moral, mental, and wisdom cultivation. Importantly, this research did not merely reaffirm existing Buddhist teachings but synthesized Pavana 4 with internationally recognized frameworks, particularly the WHOQOL and Human Flourishing models. This integration resulted in the “Pavana 4 Holistic Framework,” a new conceptual model that emphasizes mutual support among the four dimensions and provides practical applicability. The framework could be implemented at individual, familial, organizational, and societal levels, thereby contributing to sustainable well-being from the inside out. The hermeneutic interpretation had limitations in that it depended on the researcher’s context and experiences; therefore, the application of the developed framework should have been considered cautiously in other contexts.
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