Dhamma Gita as an Aesthetic Skillful Means for Mindfulness Cultivation: A Comparative Study of Buddhist Perspectives and Music Therapy

Abstract

This article examines and compares the roles of dhamma Gita in Theravada Buddhism and music therapy in contemporary psychology as aesthetic skillful means for mindfulness cultivation. Employing a conceptual analysis and literature review, the study draws on Buddhist canonical sources, scholarship on religious aesthetics, and recent research in music therapy and psychology. The analysis demonstrates that although dhamma Gita and music therapy are grounded in different philosophical frameworks and pursue distinct ultimate goals, they share significant similarities at the level of mental training processes. In both traditions, sound and aesthetic experience function to support mindfulness by calming the mind, reducing mental distraction, regulating emotional states, and facilitating present-moment awareness. Within the Buddhist framework, dhamma Gita serves as a supportive means for the alleviation of suffering and the cultivation of wisdom, without being regarded as an end in itself. In contrast, contemporary music therapy employs sound as a psychological tool to enhance self-regulation, mental well-being, and quality of life. By synthesizing these two perspectives, this article proposes an integrative framework that deepens cross-disciplinary understanding of the role of aesthetics in mindfulness practice and highlights its potential applications in both religious practice and modern mental health contexts.