Fables for Mindfulness : Techniques and Approaches in Fostering Mindfulness for Children

Abstract

This research aims to study the literary techniques for conveying Dharma messages, and the approach to fostering Dharma messages in the Book Series 9+1 - Fables for Mindfulness published by Sathira Dharmsathan. The study reveals that three literary techniques are used to convey Dharma messages: firstly, the creation of narrative elements-creation of characters, the use of settings of nature and the title of each story; secondly, the creation of literary aesthetics-the use of language for children, metaphors, questions and answers, paradoxes, repetition and the creation of paralleled characters; thirdly, the creation of aesthetic components-pictures of stories and songs. These three literary techniques are used to convey Dharma messages that mindfulness protects the pure mind from passion and that mindfulness is the factor leading to a threefold method of training in morality, concentration and wisdom. A characteristic of this book series is the unity of each fable, while the whole series indicates the systematic approach in fostering Dharma for children in that parents and self-practice are factors, as well.