Moral Development at the Workplace through Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation: A Grounded Theory Study.

This study investigates how Buddhist mindfulness meditation, specifically Vipassana meditation rooted in the Burmese Theravada tradition, influences individual ethical behavior in the workplace. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach based on interviews with 14 practicing professionals, the research identifies six interdependent elements of mindfulness meditation—developing awareness, practicing equanimity, noticing impermanence, applying a Buddhist moral framework, cultivating loving-kindness, and making continuous effort—that collectively enhance moral identity, moral reasoning, moral courage, and other-orientation. These elements enable practitioners to pursue a spiritual life guided by ethical principles, maintain inner harmony amid workplace pressures, and foster kindness toward colleagues and customers. The study highlights the importance of integrating Buddhist ethical foundations into workplace mindfulness programs and calls for further research across different Buddhist traditions and organizational contexts.