A Creative Work “Path of Sufferingless”

This creative research investigates how the Buddhist philosophy of the Noble Eightfold Path can be translated into contemporary orchestral composition through artistic research. The study is driven by a process of creative inquiry, asking how abstract spiritual principles can be transformed into musical language while preserving both their philosophical significance and artistic expression. This exploration reflects curiosity as the catalyst for questioning how an ancient philosophical tradition may inspire new compositional possibilities, and courage as the willingness to reinterpret that tradition through contemporary artistic practice. The research adopts a practice-based methodology, integrating documentary research, philosophical analysis, and musical composition. The resulting orchestral work, Path of Sufferingless, consists of eight interconnected movements, each representing one element of the Noble Eightfold Path. Rather than functioning as descriptive program music, the composition translates psychological and spiritual qualities into concrete musical symbols. For instance, the composition employs a musical cryptogram based on the word 'BUDDHA' to construct its principal melodic motif. In this system, letters are mapped to specific musical elements: 'B' represents the note Ti (B), 'U' stands for Do (C), 'D' represents Re (D), 'H' establishes a Harmonic minor tonality, and 'A' represents La (A). This unifying 'BUDDHA' motif serves as the core thematic material, undergoing various compositional developments across the movements to symbolize the continuous spiritual journey from suffering to liberation. The composition “Path of Sufferingless” proposes a creative framework for integrating philosophical inquiry with contemporary orchestral composition. It demonstrates how artistic practice can generate new knowledge by transforming intangible spiritual concepts into musical experience. By bridging Buddhist philosophy and contemporary orchestral writing, this research contributes to artistic research as a model of intercultural dialogue, philosophical reflection, and creative innovation. It further demonstrates how curiosity can open new pathways for artistic exploration, while courage enables composers to transform inherited cultural and spiritual knowledge into original musical expression that speaks to contemporary audiences.