Skip to content

Vipassana 'Dhammasaya' Changes Social Behaviour of Inmates

Upesh Maharjan

Shahid Kirti Multidisciplinary Journal May 28, 2025 DOI: 10.3126/skmj.v3i01.79296 (opens in new tab)

Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 16
Population Inmates at Nakkhu Vipassana Centre 'Dhammasaya' and key informants (Deputy Prime Minister, Vipassana trainers, jailer, police personnel)
Intervention Vipassana meditation
Topics Meditation
Key findings Vipassana meditation develops positive attitudes, reduces anger and anxiety, improves mental and physical health, and aids social reintegration and jail reform.

Abstract

Vipassana Meditation is a technique discovered by Buddha more than 2500 years ago has been practiced in many countries in the world. This is a non-denominational scientific technique of self-transformation through self-observation in society. Several studies around the world have revealed that the positive effects of this Meditation. The descriptive qualitative research method has been used to explore the social behavioral changes of inmates meditating on Nakkhu Vipassana Centre 'Dhammasaya'. Out of 43 inmates, 9 inmates have been purposively selected as sample to take research data. Also for key informant interview, the Deputy prime minister, three vipassana trainers, one jailer and two police personnel have been selected for primary data. The qualitative data from 16 samples have been collected and thematically analysized. Empirical results have revealed that it has assessed to develop positive and optimistic attitude; reduce anger, irritation and anxiety; make self-correction of behaviour; improve physical and mental health and purify their mind and character in 'Dhammasaya'. Thus the study has revealed that Vipassana meditation in it is more effective for social reintegration and jail reform in Nepal.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... 2017 Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system 2004 Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety 2006 Exploratory mixed methods study n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context 2001 Qualitative study n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators 2013 Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

Citations in the library

Cites 3

Related reading

Explore topics

Meditation Anxiety