This paper examines the spaces where Buddhist spiritual activity—specifically mindfulness practice—takes place, exploring how contemporary urban Buddhist contemplative places may benefit people’s mindful experience. Historical Buddhist contemplative places are examined through a literature review of Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist architecture and landscape. A case study of Kagyu Samye Dzong London, UK (KSDL) in the contemporary western context is then presented, drawing upon mixed methods (qualitative spatial analysis, questionnaires with mindfulness practitioners, and an in-depth interview with the director of the Buddhist center). This study investigates the relationship between the Buddhist spiritual activity of mindfulness practice and one specific physical space, exploring how the KSDL has been designed and is used to facilitate such mindfulness awareness and insight. Results suggest that quiet, solitude, and the presence of nature are three tangible spatial qualities that can facilitate mindful practice to some extent. However, additional relational or intangible qualities, namely the presence of The Three Jewels and blessings, are equally if not more important when sustaining mindfulness for Buddhist practitioners, and these contemplative qualities are more than “spatial”. Both the physical tangible qualities and intangible qualities are indispensable in the contemplative space and in influencing one’s practice. Findings evidence the importance of physical design and space for supporting contemporary mindfulness practitioners, whilst acknowledging that mindfulness emanates from—and can ultimately be discovered from—within.
目次
Abstract 1 Keywords 1 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Definition of Mindfulness 2 1.2. Secular and Buddhist Mindfulness Practices 3 1.3. Buddhist Contemplative Places 4 1.3.1. Quiet 4 1.3.2. Solitude 4 1.3.3. Nature 5 2. Methods 6 2.1. Case Study Introduction 7 2.2. Semi Structured Interview 7 2.3. Questionnaire 8 2.4. Participant Observation 8 3. Results 9 3.1. Spatial Arrangement and Participant Observation 9 3.2. Questionnaire Results 12 3.3. Interview Results 14 4. Discussion 14 4.1. The Environment Influences the Practitioner 14 4.2. Factors Influencing the Practitioner 15 4.3. How the Space Influences the Practitioner 16 4.4. The Extent to Which the Space Influences the Practitioner 17 4.5. Limitations and Suggestions 18 4.6. Future Suggestions 18 5. Conclusions 18 Appendix A 19 Appendix B 23 References 24
