Kim, Seonhwa
Lecturer, Joongang Sangha University, Gimpo, Republic of Korea
Correspondence to Kim, Seonhwa, E-mail: mir_sunny@naver.com
Volume 34, Pages 45-58, August 2025.
Journal of Meditation Based Psychological Counseling 2025, 34, 45-58. https://doi.org/10.12972/mpca.2025.34.4
Received on July 24, 2025, Revised on August 30, 2025, Accepted on August 30, 2025, Published on August 31, 2025.
Copyright © 2025 Meditation based Psychological Counseling Association.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0).
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.
scripture reading, literary characteristics, meditation, healing, the Lotus Sutra