Mindfulness Meditation: Building Interreligious Understanding and Harmony in Indonesia

Abstract Mindfulness meditation is a meditation technique that involves observing the mind and body to increase awareness. This meditation practice has become a new trend in society, with the emergence of various meditation centers and an increasing number of enthusiasts. One popular mindfulness meditation center in Indonesia is the Dhammadīpa Meditation Center (dmc). Interestingly, the meditation participants at this center are not only Buddhists but include many participants from various other religious beliefs. Although this meditation practice uses Buddhist teachings based on the Tipiṭakapāḷi, there have never been any issues with the provided guidelines or conflicts among participants despite their diverse religious identities. This article uses qualitative methods, particularly an intrinsic case study approach, to deeply understand how mindfulness meditation can foster good understanding and harmonious living among people of different religions. The research results show that meditation participants can mutually understand that mindfulness meditation is a universal practice that anyone can practice regardless of their religious background. This understanding also fosters harmony among participants from different religious backgrounds.