PSYCHOLOGY OF BUDDHISM AND HEALING METHOD OF JAPANESE SELF-REFLECTION; pp. 335–351
Trames October 30, 2025 W. G. Indunil Philip Shantha
Buddhist psychology and Japanese Naikan therapy share deep historical roots, yet little comparative research exists. This paper explores the relationship between them, noting that Naikan—a contemplative practice developed by Ishin Yoshimoto—derives from the Buddhist term vipassanā (looking inside) meditation. Although Naikan can be practiced without religious belief, it prompts deep introspection about one's past through interpersonal relationships. Clinical psychologists in Japan have adapted Naikan as a treatment for various mental illnesses, bridging Buddhist contemplative traditions and modern psychotherapy.