Mindfulness of Death as a Tool for Mortality Salience Induction with Reference to Terror Management Theory

Hyun Gong Moon

doi:10.3390/rel10060353

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 Aṅguttara 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.

Highlights

Can we be happy regardless of external conditions such as money, success, honor, and residence?What is the true meaning of happiness and well-being? What is a more fundamental way to be happy?If someone knows that they and their loved ones are going to die, will they maintain the goals and values of their lives? I propose that awareness or thought about death can be a powerful tool for well-being and happiness in life.Death does not occur in age order, nor does it tell us the time remaining or the place where it will occur
Mortality salience” (MS) has been studied in experimental existential psychology for about 30 years, and the possibility of a positive psychological impact on the thought of death has been explained through “terror management theory” (TMT)
Awakening of death is emphasized in early Buddhism, especially in the Maran.asati Sutta of the Aṅguttara Nikāya, in which the Buddha emphasizes meditation on death; and the Maran.assatikathā of the Visuddhimagga, which emphasizes speculation about death

Summary

Introduction

Can we be happy regardless of external conditions such as money, success, honor, and residence?. I propose that awareness or thought about death can be a powerful tool for well-being and happiness in life. MS has been studied in experimental existential psychology for about 30 years, and the possibility of a positive psychological impact on the thought of death has been explained through “terror management theory” (TMT). In TMT, it is argued that if death is awakened, there could be positive psychological changes, such as a limited recognition of the time of life, reorganization of life centered on intrinsic values, and an emphasis on relationships with others The concrete way to think about death presented in early Buddhism is “maran.asati”, that is, mindfulness of death. I explore the possibilities of mindfulness of death as a tool for inducing MS and examine mindfulness of death in early Buddhism how it can affect human psychology

Mindfulness of Death in Early Buddhist Texts

Terror Management Theory and Mortality Salience

Mindfulness of Death as a Tool for Mortality Salience Induction

Conclusions

Findings

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