A Model of Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness Development with Dhamma Music for Children: A Case Study of Practitioners at Buddhamahametta foundation

This research has three objectives as follows: (1) to study concept and theories of Dhamma music and context of children’s meditation practices at Buddhamahametta Foundation; (2) to study Buddhist peaceful means promoting for children ‘s emotional well-being; and (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed Buddhist Peaceful means framework in improving children's emotional well-being through meditation practitioners at Buddhamahametta Foundation. The analysis employs an eclectic methodology, combining qualitative perspectives and quantitative evaluations. Data acquisition involved conducting focus group discussions with meditation instructors, implementing structured interviews with children, and executing an experimental pre-posttest utilizing the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Additionally, secondary data were amassed through document analysis, with thematic content analysis employed to elucidate the findings.

The results of research found that (1) The results of research from the objective no. 1 indicate that Dhamma music enhances children's meditation engagement through rhythmic and melodic structures. (2) The results of research from the objective no.2 demonstrate that incorporating Buddhist peaceful means, such as mindfulness, lovingkindness, and gratitude, amplifies the efficacy of meditation by promoting ethical awareness and prosocial behavior. (3) The results of research from the objective no.3 verify that the mindfulness wisdom and loving-kindness meditation model with Dhamma music supports ongoing emotional well-being, better sleep quality, and heightened mindfulness in daily activities. The proposed framework delineates a systematic method for embedding Dhamma music in children's meditation, fostering enduring mindfulness and emotional resilience. This research underscores Dhamma music's pivotal role in Buddhist education and childhood mindfulness training, opening avenues for future holistic well-being programs.