The purpose of this study is to explore how Buddhist teachings with the right views influence the Buddhist caregivers in the process of caring for a family member with severe illnesses. In this study, we selected participants based on the following criteria to conduct an in-depth semi-structured interview. The criteria for participants were: I. Buddhists who have taken the Three Refuges; II. The illness of participant’s family member belongs in the category of the top five causes of death, or is one of the five major diseases recognized by the health care system. III. Participants are responsible of providing care and are taking care of the sick family member. In order to ensure that participants have fundamental understanding of Buddhist teachings, the candidates in the first stage are the students who have completed the introductory course of Buddhism in Sheng Yen Academy. In the second stage, Buddhists who have completed other Buddhist courses will be recruited. There are three objectives in this research: I. How do Buddhist caregivers adjust themselves in terms of attitude and mindset with Buddhist teachings in the process of providing care to seriously ill family members? II. How does Buddha-dharma influence Buddhist caregivers. III. How do Buddhist caregivers benefit from Buddha-dharma? According to our research, it is found that: I. Buddha-dharma helps the Buddhist caregivers to adapt themselves while taking care of seriously ill family member. A. Buddha-dharma helps Buddhist caregivers to adapt in different levels: 1. Methods to collect the mind: from calming the body and mind, to deepening wisdom and compassion, and even to the state of nothing unachievable. 2. Unification of understanding and practice, which leads to transformation: from reducing vexations during the process of providing caring, to acknowledging the truth of dharma, with diligent practice, to achieve liberation. B. Suffering provides an entrance to making adjustment: 1. Changing mindset: Understand that suffering is a misconception due to deluded subjective thinking, not an objective existing fact. If you do not consider it as suffering, there is no suffering. 2. Giving meaning to suffering: Suffering is unavoidable, and through the journey of suffering, one can realize the meaning and purpose behind suffering, therefore grow amidst suffering and hardships. II. The influence and contribution of Buddhism to the Buddhist caretakers of seriously ill family members: A. Empathize with others and grow in wisdom. B. Reminder to seize the causes and conditions which allow us to practice, and thus practice hard! C. From renunciation mind to Bodhi mind: From being self-liberated to benefiting self and others, walking the Bodhisattva path.
