ABSTRACT
The multi-ethnicity and cultural diversity of Sri Lanka shape the worldviews and practices of its people. As such, when carrying out research with Sri Lankans, it is important to acknowledge and embrace cultural diversity, by appropriating specific research methods for specific settings. These understandings are particularly imperative when working with people affected by tragic events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Accordingly, the field of psychology could become more responsive and effective with a greater consideration of the beliefs and practices of the people being researched. This chapter portrays a particular instance in which Buddhist cultural practices were used to cope with the aftermath of the tsunami. An alternative to the tendency in ‘mainstream’ psychology to pathologise grief is provided, and the importance of culturally patterned responses to disaster is highlighted. This chapter argues that disaster psychology needs to acknowledge notions of culture in order to fully understand how survivors of a tragedy can draw on cultural and community-based resources to build resilience in the face of grief and loss.
