The Concept of Applying Meditation to Concretely Alleviate Social Problems

Abstract

This research article aims to 1) study the concept of meditation practice in Buddhism and the reduction of human defilements; 2) study social problems and solutions; and 3) analyze the relationship and synthesize the concept between meditation practice and social problem alleviation for tangible application. This is documentary research, and the results found that: 1) There are 2 types of meditation: Samatha and Vipassanā. The Buddha taught that defilements, or the AkusalamŪla 3, (Lobha: greed, Dosa: hatred, Moha: delusion), are the real roots of all problems and cause human suffering and harm to others, of which Moha has the most influence, which is directly eliminated by meditation. Because of the mental state from the Upacārasamādhi levels (Samatha), the 5 Jhanas arise to eliminate the Nīvaraṇa 5 (5 hindrances), resulting in pure, peace, still, and steady, then entering Vipassanā to exterminate the Saṁyojana 10 (10 fetters). If meditation can eliminate defects in the human mind, it results in mitigating social problems. 2) Social problems are occurrences of social disorder until a large group of people are recognized and find a way to solve it together. It can be divided into many issues. Most solutions are based on the effects of the problem, which is a solution at the end of the cause or from the external dimension only; there is still a lack of cause analysis from the human mind according to Buddhism, and 3) Meditation practice is directly related to alleviating social problems because AkusalamŪla 3, the root of all social problems, especially delusion, which meditation can directly control. Therefore, applying meditation with the M-E-D Model is a guideline for alleviating social problems at the mental level. If the majority of people in society have a calm and stable mind with wholesome deeds and the three defiles are few, social problems can be alleviated concretely.