Western Buddhist scholarship and scientific psychology both emerged during the late Victorian era. Buddhism and scientific psychology have exerted mutual influences on each other since psychology’s inception. The Background and Context section of this entry explores how and why psychologists became interested in Buddhism, Buddhism’s history and core tenets, and Buddhism’s influence on...
Mindfulness refers to a family of contemplative practices and states related to the cultivation of awareness, presence, and equanimity. Originally rooted in Buddhist traditions, mindfulness has undergone a significant transformation as it entered Western psychological discourse, particularly within cognitive, neuroscientific, educational, and clinical frameworks. This chapter explores the...