Impact of Dhammakāya Meditation on Mindfulness, Well-being, and Emotional Distress among Adults in the United States and the United Kingdom
Abstract
This study evaluates the psychological effects of Dhammakāya meditation on dispositional mindfulness, eudaimonic well-being, attitudes toward Buddhism, and emotional distress (depression, anxiety, stress) among adults in the United States and the United Kingdom. Motivated by rising mental-health concerns in Western societies, the research examines how a traditional Buddhist contemplative practice contributes to modern psychological resilience. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, two groups—non-meditators and Dhammakāya practitioners with more than six weeks of training—were compared using standardized psychometric questionnaires and independent samples t-tests. The results show a clear pattern: practitioners report higher mindfulness, better eudaimonic well-being, and more positive attitudes toward Buddhism, while also showing significantly lower depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21). These findings suggest that Dhammakāya meditation acts as an effective self-regulation mechanism that strengthens psychological resilience. The study highlights the potential of tradition-based meditation as a complementary mental-health intervention and demonstrates that non-secular contemplative practices can be rigorously assessed using contemporary psychometric methods. Its originality lies in applying a scientific framework commonly used for secular mindfulness to Dhammakāya meditation and offering rare cross-national comparative evidence.
References
Bai, H., Williams, H., De Souza, R. C., Yee, A., Scott, C., & Cohen, A. (2024). Contemplative Inquiry As Research And Pedagogic Method. In The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Spirituality and Contemplative Studies (pp. 141–148). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003341598-15
Balagangadhara, S. N. (2014). On the dark side of the “secular”: Is the religious-secular distinction a binary? Numen, 61(1), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685276-12341303
Bowen, S., Witkiewitz, K., Dillworth, T. M., Chawla, N., Simpson, T. L., Ostafin, B. D., … Marlatt, G. A. (2006). Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20(3), 343–347. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.20.3.343
Brazier, C. (2013). Roots of mindfulness. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 15(2), 127–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642537.2013.795336
Brittain, C. C. (2005). The “secular” as a tragic category: On Talal Asad, religion and representation. Method and Theory in the Study of Religion, 17(2), 149–165. https://doi.org/10.1163/1570068054305592
Budianto, A. (2015). Gerakan Mindfulness di Amerika. Retrieved from VOA Indonesia website: https://www.voaindonesia.com/a/gerakan-mindfulness-di-amerika/2685004.html
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 4 ed. California: SAGE Publications.
Crosby, K., Skilton, A., & Gunasena, A. (2012). The Sutta on Understanding Death in the Transmission of Borān Meditation From Siam to the Kandyan Court. Journal of Indian Philosophy, 40(2), 177–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10781-011-9151-y
Fok, H.-K., & Shek, D. T. L. (2011). A methodological critique of parenting research in Hong Kong. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 23(2), 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1515/IJAMH.2011.017
Grabovac, A. D., Lau, M. A., & Willett, B. R. (2011). Mechanisms of Mindfulness: A Buddhist Psychological Model. Mindfulness, 2(3), 154–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0054-5
Guojun, Z., Jiahui, L., & Shuru, Z. (2022). Multivariate strategies and identity negotiation of trans-local dietary adaptation of immigrant groups: A case study of Guangzhou City. Progress in Geography, 41(4), 660–669. https://doi.org/10.18306/dlkxjz.2022.04.010
Hülsheger, U. R., Alberts, H. J. E. M., Feinholdt, A., & Lang, J. W. B. (2013). Benefits of mindfulness at work: The role of mindfulness in emotion regulation, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2), 310–325. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031313
Jain, S., Shapiro, S. L., Swanick, S., Roesch, S. C., Mills, P. J., Bell, I., & Schwartz, G. E. R. (2007). A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 33(1), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3301_2
Jarukasemthawee, S., Halford, W. K., & McLean, J. P. (2019). When East meets West: A randomized controlled trial and pre- to postprogram evaluation replication of the effects of insight-based mindfulness on psychological well-being. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 29(3), 307–323. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000179
Johnson, K. L., Desmarais, S. L., Tueller, S. J., & Van Dorn, R. A. (2019). Methodological limitations in the measurement and statistical modeling of violence among adults with mental illness. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 28(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1776
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg016
Kasantikul, D., Suttipan, C., & Worakul, P. (1986). Effect of meditation on mental health measured by center for epidemiology studies-depression scale. J Psychiatr Assoc Thai, 31, 177–190.
Kaufman, T. S. (2012). A New Old Spirituality for Youth Ministry? Christian Discipleship and Practice in the Norwegian CrossRoad Movement. Journal of Youth and Theology, 11(1–2), 40–58. https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-90000051
Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (2011, September 12). Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. https://doi.org/10.1037/t01004-000
MAPPG. (2015). The Mindfulness Initiative. United Kingdom.
Marlatt, G. A., & Kristeller, J. L. (1999). Mindfulness and meditation. In Integrating spirituality into treatment: Resources for practitioners. (pp. 67–84). Washington: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10327-004
NCCIH. (2022). Graph titled Meditation Use: 20-Year Trends. Retrieved from National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/research/national-health-interview-survey-2022/graph-titled-meditation-use-20-year-trends
Nyklíček, I., & Kuijpers, K. F. (2008). Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life: Is Increased Mindfulness Indeed the Mechanism? Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 35(3), 331–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-008-9030-2
Oppenheim, C. E., Axelrod, K., Menyongai, J., Chukwuezi, B., Tam, A., Henderson, D. C., & Borba, C. P. C. (2019). The HEAAL Project: Applying Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Methodology in a Health and Mental Health Needs Assessment with an African Immigrant and Refugee Faith Community in Lowell, Massachusetts. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 25(1), E1–E6. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000000707
Ott, D. E. (2024). Limitations in Medical Research: Recognition, Influence, and Warning. Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.4293/JSLS.2023.00049
Purser, R. E. (2019). McMindfulness: How mindfulness became the new capitalist spirituality. London: Watkins Media.
Risnawati, R., Arsyad, S., & Wardhana, D. E. C. (2025). Authors’ Strategies For Justifying Research Methodology In Research Articles Published In Prestigious Journals. LLT Journal: Journal on Language and Language Teaching, 28(1), 411–427. https://doi.org/10.24071/llt.v28i1.10034
Röllig, C. (2011). Limits in health services research. Urologe - Ausgabe A, 50(6), 697–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00120-011-2588-5
Rosenzweig, S., Greeson, J. M., Reibel, D. K., Green, J. S., Jasser, S. A., & Beasley, D. (2010). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic pain conditions: Variation in treatment outcomes and role of home meditation practice. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 68(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.03.010
Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. New York: Guilford Press.
Sudsuang, R., Chentanez, V., & Veluvan, K. (1991). Effect of buddhist meditation on serum cortisol and total protein levels, blood pressure, pulse rate, lung volume and reaction time. Physiology & Behavior, 50(3), 543–548. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(91)90543-W
Taabaldieva, A., Belekova, K., Shanyzak Uulu, Z., Mamaziyaeva, Z., & Sadirbek Kyzy, U. (2025). Ethnic Groups’ Views on the Concept of “Blessing” (“Bata”). International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion, 7(SI1), 1095–1118. https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI1.369
Thanissaro, N., & Grosseteste, B. (2022). Dhammakāya meditation, mindfulness, wellbeing , attitude to Buddhism, depression, anxiety and stress – preliminary quantitative findings. St Mary’s Centre Annual Symposium in Practical Theology & Religious Education, (November).
Thanissaro, P. N. (2021). Psychological type among Dhammakāya meditators in the West. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 24(6), 594–611. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2020.1758648
Vázquez-Atochero, A. (2025). The Elderly’s Role in Preserving and Transmitting Intangible Cultural Heritage. Lecture Notes in Bioengineering, 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-87729-2_1
WHO. (2025). Mental disorders. Retrieved September 30, 2025, from World Health Organization website: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders?
Williams, J. M. G., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (2011). Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma. Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14639947.2011.564811
Ysmailova, R., Akmatova, A., Ysmayilova, B., Arzymatova, Z., & Turgunbaeva, Z. (2024). Exploring the Dynamic Interplay of National Identity and Linguoculture in Kyrgyzstan: A study of cultural symbols, language adaptation, and identity transmission. Traduction et Langues, 23(3), 135–160. https://doi.org/10.52919/translang.v23i03.1017
Copyright (c) 2025 Phra Nicholas Thanissaro
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
