Buddhist Psychology and the Perception of the World's Beauty through the Hearts of the Visually Impaired

Abstract

This article examines the application of Buddhist principles—specifically the Six Sense Bases (Salāyatana) and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna)—to understand the perceptual experiences of visually impaired individuals. Its primary aim is to shift society’s perception from viewing visually impaired persons as “those who lack” to recognizing them as “individuals with unique potential.” The study employs documentary research through textual analysis and conceptual synthesis of the Tripiṭaka, the Visuddhimagga, and relevant scholarly works. The findings indicate that visually impaired individuals perceive the world comprehensively through other senses, including hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mano-āyatana (mind), and often cultivate these abilities with heightened sensitivity and precision compared to sighted individuals. Their practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness presents distinctive advantages due to the absence of visual distractions, allowing for deeper concentration and enhanced mindfulness. From the perspective of Buddhist psychology, beauty does not inherently reside in external objects but arises from perception (saññā) and mental formations (saṅkhāra) within the mind of the perceiver.

The application of Buddhist psychological principles thus emerges as an effective approach for developing the potential of visually impaired individuals. It not only supports their well-being and independence but also creates opportunities for them to serve as exemplars of mental and intellectual development within society. Such a paradigm shift fosters the creation of a community that genuinely understands and values human diversity.