Vol. 11, Issue 3, Part A (2025)

Abstract
The focus of this study is the Buddhist understanding of fear, its characteristics, its role in the spiritual journey, and the healing potential of Buddhist practices that underlie the above-mentioned. In articulating Early and Mahayana Buddhist scriptures along with contemporary psychological perspectives, the study denotes that, in Buddhism, fear is not simply a negative emotion; it is suffering (dukkha) born of ignorance (avidya) and craving (tanha) in the impermanent, sufferings, and non-self states. It exemplifies the engagement of mindfulness (sati) toward the acknowledgement and transformation of fear. With mindfulness, one is enabled to observe and accept their fear in an objective and non-judgmental manner, thus creating a psychological space in which to investigate the true nature of fear and lessen its mental grip. The study identifies insight wisdom cultivated through Vipassana meditation as an efficacious antidote to fear when generated at its deepest levels. In addition, the contrast of fear as an obstruction and its role as an energy point for Buddhist practice is also explored; fear may act as an obstacle to the degree that it becomes attached, while the very contemplation of feelings associated with impermanence, suffering, and death, all of which generate fear, may give rise to the longing and effort for spiritual aspiration. The research finds a more integrated system encompassing Buddhist spiritual practices such as meditation, loving-kindness, wisdom, and ethical conduct, which offers a more integrated approach to fear transformation that results in the diminished intensity and frequency of fear, a changed relationship with fear, and the emergence of abiding inner peace and liberation.