GIRIMĀNANDA SUTTA AS AN AUDIO-VISUAL & BREATHING RELAXATION THERAPY FOR DRUG ADDICT COMMUNITY

Drug addiction among young people is a critical issue in both Eastern and Western countries in the 21st century. Addiction impacts not only the individuals using drugs or alcohol but also their families and society. The main objective of this study is to determine the therapeutic functions of the Buddhist ritual performance in promoting physical and mental health issues using human senses, specifically the effects of mindful listening to Buddhist Paritta (Girimānanda sutta) chanting with mindful breathing, called Ānāpānasati. The emerging researches are exploring low-cost and non-invasive interventions as a therapy for drug addiction relaxation. One such intervention is the recital of Paritta, which aims to protect living beings from disasters, pain, and fear. It is believed that reciting Paritta verses soothes the nerves and induces mental and physical balance through the six senses. The Girimānanda Sutta, which includes ‘Dasa Saññā’ and ends with the mindful breathing exercise called Ānāpānasati, is noteworthy. This study adopts mix method will be received ethical approval from the research council of the University of Kelaniya. The sample consisted of 150 individuals from rehabilitation camps in Gampaha, Matale (Raththota) and Anuradhapura (Galkiriyagama). Participants listened to low-frequency Paritta sounds (>70Hz) for 35 minutes while the meanings of the Paritta were displayed on screens. The box breathing relaxation technique was used in conjunction with Ānāpānasati. The study assesses mood changes in the subjects before the intervention, immediately after, three days after, and one week after exposure to the repetitive Paritta sounds, visuals, and mindful breathing technique. Anxiety and stress levels were measured. Mood improvement was assessed using a subjective pain assessment scale rated from 0 to 10, and a Mood Barometer in which drug addict communities rated their mood on a visual analogue scale. Results indicated significant mood improvement following the intervention. These findings suggest that Paritta blessing sounds, combined with visual and mindfulness breathing techniques, could serve as effective, non-invasive and low-cost therapies for drug addiction relaxation.