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Buddhist thought and nursing: a hermeneutic exploration
Graham McCaffrey1, Shelley Raffin-Bouchal, Nancy J Moules
1University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. gpmccaff@ucalgary.ca
Summary
This paper explores the significant affinities between Buddhist philosophy and contemporary nursing practice. It proposes philosophical hermeneutics as a framework for a creative, cross-cultural dialogue on compassionate care.
Area of Science:
- Interdisciplinary studies bridging philosophy and healthcare.
- Exploration of Buddhist philosophy in a professional context.
Background:
- Contemporary nursing shares existential concerns with Buddhist thought, particularly regarding suffering.
- Cross-cultural dialogues between Western Buddhism and nursing are emerging.
- Philosophical hermeneutics offers a framework for interdisciplinary exchange.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a philosophical foundation for a dialogue between Buddhist thought and nursing.
- To explore the potential of Buddhist concepts for nursing practice and theory.
- To facilitate a creative and constructive cross-cultural exchange.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Buddhist thought and nursing.
- Introduction of philosophical hermeneutics as an interpretive framework.
- Analysis of key Mahayana Buddhist concepts (emptiness, two truths).
Main Results:
- Buddhist thought offers a dynamic framework for understanding reality and compassionate response.
- Key concepts like emptiness and two truths provide novel perspectives for nursing.
- Original Buddhist texts illustrate cultural nuances and creative potential.
Conclusions:
- Buddhist philosophy and nursing share common ground in addressing suffering and compassion.
- Hermeneutics facilitates a critical and creative dialogue between these disciplines.
- This interdisciplinary approach enriches both Buddhist studies and nursing theory.
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