Mindfulness of death as a tool for mortality salience induction with reference to terror management theory

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Abstract

In this article, I argue that “mindfulness of death” (maraṇasati) can be a tool to induce mortality salience and can have a positive psychological impact. The mindfulness of death is described in detail in the early Buddhist texts A˙ nguttara Nikāya and Visuddhimagga. The texts stress that death should be consciously connected with temporality and mindfulness. Here, I look at the mindfulness of death in relation to the mortality salience of terror management theory. “Mortality salience” is a term proposed in terror management theory that means “the state of conscious activation of the thoughts of death”. In addition, after conscious activation of the thought of death, I examine the psychological changes, such as the increase of pro-social attitudes which emphasizes ethics and morality, and the emphasis on the intrinsic value of life due to the operation of a cultural worldview and self-esteem. In this paper, I conclude that mindfulness of death can be an effective tool to induce mortality salience.

Original languageEnglish
Article number353
JournalReligions
Volume10
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Early Buddhist texts
  • Mindfulness (sati)
  • Mindfulness of death (maraṇasati)
  • Mortality salience
  • Terror management theory

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