The relationship between the four foundations of mindfulness (Satipatthãna) and mental health development

Abstract

Buddhism is a religion that focuses on observing precepts (Morality or ethics) to maintain physical and verbal peace and practicing meditation to improve mindfulness, to create a peaceful mind and cultivate wisdom in order to cope with mental defilement and suffering. The objective of this paper was to investigate a relationship between the four foundations of mindfulness and mental health development. Quantitative research method was applied in this study. The research questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect data. Data were collected from 350 participants in Bangkok who practice the four foundations of mindfulness in daily life. Statistics used in this study consisted of percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation, and Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis. The research findings showed that most participants always practice Kãyãnupassanã (KAY) (Contemplation on breathing in and breathing out) to develop their mental health. The four foundations of mindfulness were positively related with mental health development. KAY (Contemplation on breathing in and breathing out) was highly related to mental health development. Dhammãnupassanã (DHA) (Contemplation on the truth of life) had the highest influence on mental health development.