Ikigai Lifestyle from a Theravada Buddhist Perspective

Abstract

This article aims to examine the concept of Ikigai through the perspective of Theravada Buddhism, focusing on an analysis of the coherence between the five pillars of Ikigai and the Four Paths to Accomplishment, as well as the integration of these two concepts to formulate a balanced and meaningful approach to living. The findings indicate that Ikigai can be explained in two dimensions: the four-component concept that helps identify life goals, and the five-pillar concept, which serves as a practical guideline for achieving goals. The five pillars consists of: 1) Starting small, 2) Releasing yourself, 3) Harmony and sustainability,  4) The joy of little things, and 5) Being in the here and now. This article adopts the Five Pillars as the primary analytical framework and compares them with the Four Paths to Accomplishment in Theravada Buddhism, namely Chanda, Viriya, Citta, and Vimamsa. The Results demonstrate that the two frameworks are closely aligned: Chanda corresponds to starting small and the joy of little things; Viriya is linked to releasing yourself; Vimamsa leads to harmony and sustainability; and Citta reflects being in the here and now. To provide a concrete understanding, the article presents a case study of Jiro Ono, a legendary Japanese sushi chef aged 99, who exemplifies the application of the pillars of Ikigai and the Four Paths to Accomplishment in both life and work. The study indicates that integrating these two concepts generates new knowledge that connects Japanese philosophy with Buddhist principles and offers a meaningful, happy, and balanced approach to enhancing quality of life in contemporary society.