Beyond the Surface, Delving into duḥkha: Buddhist Insights into the Lives of Married Women in a South Indian Metropolis.

The modern era has brought women unparalleled opportunities in various fields. However, they still encounter numerous challenges that impede their well-being. This qualitative study explores how Buddhist wisdom can be applied to understand the well-being challenges experienced by married women aged 25-39 years and residing in Bengaluru, a metropolitan city in India. The study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with eight married women. A thematic analysis of these interviews revealed three main themes, that is, my body, my mind, and my relationship, each with sub-themes falling under the overarching global theme, "echoes of unease: unveiling duḥkha's reflections". The factors driving unsatisfactoriness among the participants were then analysed by applying the Buddhist doctrine of dependent arising to understand the origins of duḥkha. This study suggests that Buddhist philosophy provides valuable insights for unravelling the intricacies of the modern woman's duḥkha and may serve as a potential pathway for women to tap into their inner reservoir of wisdom and compassion, enhancing their overall well-being.