Buddhist Generosity: Its Conceptual Model and Empirical Tests

This study developed a Buddhist Generosity Scale to assess Buddhist generosity, acts of compassion to give something of value to humans and animals, among Thai Buddhists. Conceptually the Scale consists of two factors: scope—giving to humans and animals, and criticality—the gifts’ importance to the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ariyabuddhiphongs, Vanchai (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: SAGE Publishing 2016
In: Archive for the psychology of religion
Year: 2016, Volume: 38, Issue: 3, Pages: 316-344
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Thailand / Buddhism / Metta / Pro-social behavior / Wellness
RelBib Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
BL Buddhism
KBM Asia
Further subjects:B Buddhist generosity Buddhist Generosity Scale loving kindness happiness
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:This study developed a Buddhist Generosity Scale to assess Buddhist generosity, acts of compassion to give something of value to humans and animals, among Thai Buddhists. Conceptually the Scale consists of two factors: scope—giving to humans and animals, and criticality—the gifts’ importance to the recipients. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the two-factor structure. Convergent validity tests showed its relationships with optimism, hope, and altruism but none with forgiveness; discriminant validity tests found positive relationship with psychological entitlement but none with trait anger and greed. Results of the predictive validity test showed that Buddhist generosity mediated the relationship between loving kindness and happiness. The scale is valid for use to assess Buddhist generosity in countries where Theravada Buddhism is practiced. The relationships between good thought (loving kindness) and good deed (Buddhist generosity) and good result (happiness) support the Buddhist law of human behaviors (kamma).
ISSN:1573-6121
Contains:In: Archive for the psychology of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15736121-12341329