Impact of Dhamma Music on Children’s Meditation Engagement: A Review of Multisensory Approaches

Abstract

This review examines how Dhamma music may strengthen children’s engagement in meditation by functioning as an auditory anchor within multisensory mindfulness-based interventions. Focusing on children in the primary-school developmental range, the article synthesizes literature on multisensory learning, music-assisted mindfulness, and Buddhist-informed contemplative education to address three aims: (1) to clarify how multisensory inputs, especially auditory stimulation, support attention, emotional regulation, and participation during meditation; (2) to analyze the potential functions of Dhamma music (e.g., slow tempo, repetitive melodic patterns, and spiritually meaningful lyrics) in scaffolding calmness, sustained focus, and reflective awareness; and (3) to identify research gaps and propose directions for culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate program design. Across the reviewed studies, multisensory approaches integrating sound, movement, imagery, and guided instruction are consistently associated with improved attentional control and affect regulation during mindfulness practice. The review further suggests that Dhamma music may contribute additional benefits through rhythmic entrainment, predictable structure, and value-laden content that supports prosocial dispositions (e.g., kindness and compassion) when implemented ethically and voluntarily. However, the evidence base remains limited by short intervention durations, heterogeneity in outcome measures, and a scarcity of controlled comparisons between culturally specific sacred music and secular soundscapes. The article concludes by outlining implementation principles and a research agenda for validating Dhamma-music–integrated curricula across diverse educational and community contexts.