Mindfulness and Employee Locus of Control: A Buddhist Perspective through the Ādhipateyya Sutta

Abstract

Mindfulness plays an important role in shaping individuals' awareness, self-regulation, and perceptions of personal control. From a Buddhist perspective, mindfulness (sati) is closely associated with conscious reflection and ethical self-discipline, as reflected in the Ādhipateyya Sutta, which introduces three guiding principles: self-authority (attādhipateyya), worldly authority (lokādhipateyya), and Dhamma authority (dhammādhipateyya). Drawing on this Buddhist framework, this study examines the relationship between mindfulness and employees' locus of control, particularly their tendency toward an internal locus of control. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through questionnaires administered to employees from various organizations. The findings indicate a positive relationship between mindfulness and internal locus of control, suggesting that employees with higher levels of mindfulness tend to perceive greater personal control over their actions and work-related outcomes. Interpreted through the Ādhipateyya Sutta, these findings highlight a conceptual connection between mindfulness, reflective self-governance, and personal responsibility, while recognizing the distinction between Buddhist ethical principles and psychological beliefs about control. The study contributes to the dialogue between Buddhist teachings and organizational psychology by offering a Buddhist interpretive perspective on the relationship between mindfulness and locus of control. Practically, the findings suggest that mindfulness-based employee development initiatives may support self-awareness and personal responsibility in the workplace, although their effectiveness requires further empirical investigation.