A study on the literary features and meditative healing effects of Buddhist scriptures: Focusing on the Lotus Sutra

Reading Buddhist scriptures, particularly the Lotus Sutra, can function as both a contemplative practice and a form of psychological healing. The literary devices in these texts—metaphors, symbols, poetic language, and narrative structures—arouse emotions, foster self-reflection, and provide existential insight. This process parallels mindfulness practice by helping readers focus on the present moment and accept internal emotions, thereby promoting mental and physical well-being. Scriptural reading combines concentrative and insight meditation, facilitating emotional healing, self-regulation, and compassion. The paper proposes that scriptural reading could be a meaningful contemplative practice in education, counseling, and personal development, though empirical validation is needed.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study explores the potential of reading Buddhist scriptures as both a contemplative practice and a form of psychological healing by examining the literary characteristics and meditative value of the Lotus Sutra. Buddhist scriptures employ metaphors, symbols, poetic language, and narrative structures to appeal deeply to the reader’s emotions. These literary devices function as mechanisms for emotional arousal, affective awareness, self-reflection, and existential insight. The paper argues that reading scriptures parallels the structural features of mindfulness practice, enabling practitioners to focus on the present moment and accept internal emotions, thereby promoting mental and physical well-being. Scriptural reading encompasses both concentrative and insight meditation, incorporating psychological mechanisms that facilitate emotional healing, self-regulation, and the cultivation of compassion. Based on this perspective, the study proposes that scriptural reading may serve as a meaningful contemplative practice applicable in various domains of modern life, including education, counseling, and personal development. However, as the research primarily focuses on theoretical exploration, future studies should include empirical validation and comparative analysis across different reader groups. Despite these limitations, this study aims to propose a new interpretation of Buddhist scriptures by examining them through an integrated perspective of literary expression and meditative practice, thereby suggesting the potential expansion of Applied Buddhism into the fields of mental health and spiritual education.