THE FOUR BRAHMA VIHᾹRᾹS IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION

Abstract

Child sexual abuse represents a pervasive global crisis with profound, lasting impacts on survivors, requiring compassionate, multifaceted approaches to prevention and support. This study addresses a gap in child protection frameworks by exploring how the Buddhist ethical principles of the Four Brahma Vihāras “Mettā (loving-kindness), Karuṇā compassion), Muditā (empathetic joy), and Upekkhā (equanimity)” can be applied to both the prevention of child sexual abuse and the support of survivors. Grounded in the Mettā Sutta (Saṃyukta Nikāya) and supported by ethical guidelines in the Vinaya Piṭaka, this research investigates the role of these divine abodes as foundations for a spiritually informed, ethically grounded response to child abuse. The methodology includes a qualitative review of primary sources, such as the Sutta Piṭaka and Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, alongside secondary literature and real-time case studies. By examining both theoretical foundations and applied Buddhist practices, the study evaluates the potential of Buddhist ethics, mindfulness (referenced in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya), and loving-kindness (Mettā Sutta of the Khuddakapāṭha) as healing mechanisms for survivors. The findings reveal that the Four Brahma Vihāras form a unified framework fostering empathy, non-harming intentions, and emotional resilience, which help prevent child abuse and support survivor recovery. Practices such as Mettā and mindfulness meditation promote healing by cultivating self-compassion and stability, essential for trauma recovery. While applying these principles across cultures can be challenging, they retain universal relevance through their focus on compassion. This research concludes that integrating the Four Brahma Vihāras into child protection offers a compassionate, adaptable approach to address suffering and prevent harm globally, underscoring the need for ethical, spiritually grounded frameworks in child welfare initiatives worldwide.