Drama Tools for Spiritual Awakening: The Application of “Playback Theatre” to the Learning of Buddhism

Abstract

This research aims to This research aims to: 1) study the Playback Theatre process that fosters inner-work learning and spiritual awakening; 2) integrate the concept of the Five Aggregates from Buddhism into drama processes; and 3) develop a prototype drama-based learning process to explore inner-work and spiritual awakening. The study adopts a Practice as Research (PaR) methodology, engaging experts from diverse fields to collaboratively design the learning process. The approach incorporates interdisciplinary concepts, including Playback Theatre, Learning Facilitation, and the Five Aggregates in Buddhism. It emphasizes practical and reflective processes within a non-experimental research framework (without variable control). The research found that the ‘pairs conflicts’ technique in Playback Theatre enabled participants to clearly and tangibly perceive their inner world. In addition, participants gained a deeper understanding of the functions of emotions and feelings through physical expressions, such as the ‘freeze frame’ technique. Moreover, the effective use of metaphoric props symbolized participants’ inner worlds and enhanced their understanding of the process. However, it is important to recognize that prolonged immersion in certain emotions may negatively impact participants’ well-being. Thus, a mechanism should be in place to guide participants back to a neutral emotional state, such as employing ‘awareness practices,’ which foster self-awareness and encourage reflection. This research demonstrates that drama is a powerful tool for fostering experiential learning. It also reveals the mutual complementarity between drama and Buddhism.