Walking Barefoot, Eating Once, Stilling the Mind: Insights from Thai Buddhist Monastic Practices for Holistic Well-Being in the 21st Century

Abstract

The daily practices of Theravāda Buddhist monks, which have been maintained for over 2,500 years in accordance with the Dhamma-Vinaya, demonstrate notable congruence with contemporary health science evidence across multiple dimensions. This article aims to systematically analyze such congruence by integrating three monastic practices—(1) walking the alms round barefoot, (2) consuming food only within the period prescribed by the Vinaya, and (3) performing all daily activities with mindfulness (sati-sampajañña) and sense restraint—with current scientific evidence, in order to propose a holistic health promotion framework applicable to the general population across all age groups within the Thai social context.This study employed an integrative literature review methodology, drawing on international research published in leading journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Scientific Reports, and Nature Communications, as well as the PubMed/PMC database. The findings indicate that all three practices are supported by empirical evidence regarding their physiological and psychological mechanisms for reducing chronic inflammation, regulating metabolic balance, decelerating cognitive decline, and strengthening psychological resilience. Specifically, barefoot walking corresponds to the principles of Earthing/Grounding; time-restricted eating aligns with Intermittent Fasting; and the practice of mindfulness in daily activities is consistent with Mindfulness-Based Interventions.

          The results suggest that the Theravāda monastic way of life is not merely a religious system detached from modern life but can serve as a health promotion model increasingly supported by contemporary science. This article therefore proposes a set of age-specific practical guidelines adapted from monastic practices for health promotion, offering a new perspective on the Buddhist heritage as a low-cost, readily applicable health promotion resource for everyday life.