cross-case study=跨案例研究; four immeasurables=四無量心; karma=業; law of dependent origination=緣起法; qualitative research=質性研究
摘要
The current pilot study examines how two women are dealing with divorce through Buddhist teachings. It has been conducted by means of face-to-face, in-depth interviews, together with visual art, and various levels of triangulation for enriching data and enhancing trustworthiness. The emerging data (grouped into nine emergent themes and three super-ordinate themes) indicate that Buddhist philosophy has inspired the informants not to harbour anger towards their ex-spouses, but to accept life changes, and convert their crises into self transcendence by means of the bodhisattva path of serving other people, which gives meaning to their distress. Although this cross-case project involves a small sample size, the research outcomes offer insight into divorced spouses and human service practitioners dealing with their own stressful challenges or with clients who have gone through divorce. Equally significant, the present study exhibits the applicability and practicality of Buddhist philosophy in contemporary contexts.
Introduction 130 Buddhist-Influenced Interventions for Couples and Divorce 131 Basic Buddhist Teachings 133 Research Design: A Cross-Case Analysis 134 Sampling and Case Selection 134 Data Collection 135 Data Analysis 136 Rigour 137 Findings and Analyses 139 Profiles of the Informants 139 Reactions to Divorce 140 Current Life 143 Insights of Buddhist Doctrines Gained from the Experience of Divorce 146 Discussion 148 Added Knowledge: Bodhisattva Spirit 150 Limitations 152 Implications 152 Future Research Directions 153 Concluding Remarks 153
