The Philosophical Analysis on Thich Nhat Hanh’s Concept and Technique in Mindfulness Practice for Developing Wisdom

Abstract

This research article aims to: 1) study the concepts and methods of cultivating mindfulness in the principles of Buddhist philosophy in Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Zen traditions 2) study the concepts and methods of mindfulness cultivation for the development of wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk 3)  philosophically analyze the concepts and methods of mindfulness cultivation for developing wisdom according to Thich Nhat Hanh using an epistemological framework. This is a qualitative research study employing documentary research methodology by studying Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist philosophy, and Thich Nhat Hanh's works, and analyzes the data using content analysis.

The research found that:

Mindfulness cultivation differs across three Buddhist traditions: Theravāda cultivates mindfulness through the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna), while Mahāyāna and Zen traditions cultivate mindfulness through Zazen (sitting meditation), Mondo (question-answer dialogue), Sanzen (mind training), and Koan (paradoxical questions). Thich Nhat Hanh's concepts and methods for cultivating mindfulness to develop wisdom serve as the foundation for happiness and genuine problem-solving through cultivating mindfulness of the body, feelings, mind, and mental objects. The philosophical analysis based on epistemological framework reveals that the development of knowledge depends on purpose, and that mindfulness practices can be applied appropriately to different situations. By training the mind to remain in the present moment, to be aware of arising feelings, to recognize the mind as it truly is, and to perceive the truth of all phenomena, the development of wisdom ultimately enhances the overall quality of human life. The knowledge obtained is that mindfulness in Thich Nhat Hanh's perspective is a gentle and peaceful return to the present moment, serving as a tool to open the door for the mind to directly access metaphysical reality (impermanence, dependent origination, emptiness), and wisdom arises from directly seeing the truth of life rather than from intellectual analysis.