Zen-informed Spiritual Research Paradigm: A Buddhist Approach to Decolonizing MSR Research

The author introduces a "Zen-informed spiritual research paradigm" grounded in an Eastern Buddhist worldview, arguing that it fundamentally transcends Western mainstream functionalism. The article defines "spiritual research" and discusses its philosophical and methodological implications, elaborating on features concerning ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology. A field study demonstrates the application of Zen methodologies in research design, data sampling, collection, analysis, theorizing, and report writing. The author proposes six evaluation criteria for spiritual research along with applicable methodological strategies. The work is described as pioneering in decolonizing mainstream research paradigms through Zen-informed approaches in response to calls for a paradigmatic shift toward global consciousness.

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Abstract

In this article, I introduce a “Zen-informed spiritual research paradigm” rooted in an Eastern Buddhist worldview that fundamentally transcends Western mainstream functionalism. I first propose a definition of “spiritual research” and discuss its philosophical and methodological implications. I then elaborate on the features of a Zen-informed spiritual research paradigm concerning ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology. Furthermore, I use a field study to demonstrate the application of Zen methodologies in research design, data sampling, data collection, data analysis, theorizing, and report writing. Finally, I propose six evaluation criteria for spiritual research along with applicable methodological strategies to meet each criterion. This research is pioneering in decolonizing MSR research paradigms through Zen-informed approaches in response to the urgent call for a paradigmatic shift to enable global consciousness.