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Spiritual Identity Formation and Learning in Tibetan Buddhist Communities: A Qualitative Study on Group Rituals in the Nyingma Tradition

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Title: Spiritual Identity Formation and Learning in Tibetan Buddhist Communities: A Qualitative Study on Group Rituals in the Nyingma Tradition
Language: English
Authors: Nina Yang, Prathabjai Suwanthada
Source: Journal of Education and Learning. 2026 15(2):152-159.
Availability: Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1595 Sixteenth Ave Suite 301, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3N9 Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: jel@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jel
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Buddhism, Group Unity, Ceremonies, Cultural Activities, Sense of Belonging, Religious Factors, Informal Education, Metacognition
Geographic Terms: China
ISSN: 1927-5250
1927-5269
Abstract: This study examines how spiritual identity is formed and transmitted through ritual-based learning within Tibetan Buddhist communities, with a specific focus on the Nyingma tradition. Drawing on qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with monastic and lay practitioners, the research explores how communal rituals--particularly Dharma assemblies--serve as informal educational spaces where participants engage in embodied practices, symbolic communication, and collective memory. Central to the study is the role of Dzogchen meditation and teacher-disciple interactions in facilitating spiritual transformation and reinforcing group identity. The findings reveal that these rituals foster a shared spiritual consciousness, cultivate a sense of belonging, and function as dynamic sites of cultural learning and identity formation. By framing these religious gatherings as educational processes, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how spiritual communities sustain cohesion, transmit cultural values, and support lifelong learning beyond formal institutional settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507228
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Spiritual Identity Formation and Learning in Tibetan Buddhist Communities: A Qualitative Study on Group Rituals in the Nyingma Tradition
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nina+Yang%22">Nina Yang</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Prathabjai+Suwanthada%22">Prathabjai Suwanthada</searchLink>
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  Data: Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1595 Sixteenth Ave Suite 301, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3N9 Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: jel@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jel
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  Data: This study examines how spiritual identity is formed and transmitted through ritual-based learning within Tibetan Buddhist communities, with a specific focus on the Nyingma tradition. Drawing on qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with monastic and lay practitioners, the research explores how communal rituals--particularly Dharma assemblies--serve as informal educational spaces where participants engage in embodied practices, symbolic communication, and collective memory. Central to the study is the role of Dzogchen meditation and teacher-disciple interactions in facilitating spiritual transformation and reinforcing group identity. The findings reveal that these rituals foster a shared spiritual consciousness, cultivate a sense of belonging, and function as dynamic sites of cultural learning and identity formation. By framing these religious gatherings as educational processes, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how spiritual communities sustain cohesion, transmit cultural values, and support lifelong learning beyond formal institutional settings.
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      – SubjectFull: Buddhism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Group Unity
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      – SubjectFull: Ceremonies
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Activities
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      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
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      – SubjectFull: Religious Factors
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      – SubjectFull: China
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      – TitleFull: Spiritual Identity Formation and Learning in Tibetan Buddhist Communities: A Qualitative Study on Group Rituals in the Nyingma Tradition
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