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

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.