Death Dreams From a Manifest Perspective: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Between Tibetan and Han Chinese Dreamers

摘要

The present study is a cross-cultural comparison of death dreams between Tibetan and Han Chinese dreamers from a manifest perspective. Manifest perspective means that the elements can be seen directly in the text of the dream studied. Altogether, 536 Tibetan and Han Chinese participants were interviewed via questionnaire regarding death dreams. Data collected showed that 66 participants (12.3%) reported that they never had or could not remember a death dream. Four hundred seventy participants, 150 Tibetan and 320 Han Chinese respectively, reported that they had such a dream and were interviewed further. Results showed that there was a significant difference of the death role between Tibetan and Han Chinese in death dreams. Specifically, unknown others appeared more frequently with Tibetan participants, whereas the dreamer appeared more often in the dreams experienced by the Han Chinese participants. There was also a significant difference in the main emotions expressed in death dreams. Tibetan participants were more peaceful than Han Chinese participants. About the described cause of death, Tibetan and Han Chinese participants showed a significant difference. More Tibetan than Han Chinese participants described the cause of death in the dream as unknown. Another finding was that, regardless whether Tibetan or Han Chinese, the role of the helper in death dreams seldom appeared, and the frequency of nonappearance was more than 94%. The importance of these results was analyzed in relation to the living environment, lifestyle, and religious differences. Future research directions were also suggested.