Buddha philosophy and western psychology.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry 2013 DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.105517 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Keywords | Buddha philosophy Psychotherapy Western psychology |
| Citations | 49 |
| Key points | Argues that Buddhism overlaps with Western psychology in theory and practice and that Buddha was a unique psychotherapist whose methods have helped millions. |
Abstract
Four noble truths as preached by Buddha are that the life is full of suffering (Duhkha), that there is a cause of this suffering (Duhkha-samudaya), it is possible to stop suffering (Duhkha-nirodha), and there is a way to extinguish suffering (Duhkha-nirodha-marga). Eight fold Path (astangika-marga) as advocated by Buddha as a way to extinguish the sufferings are right views, right resolve/aspiration, right speech, right action/conduct, right livelihood, right effort right mindfulness and right concentration. Mid-twentieth century saw the collaborations between many psychoanalysts and Buddhist scholars as a meeting between "two of the most powerful forces" operating in the Western mind. Buddhism and Western Psychology overlap in theory and in practice. Over the last century, experts have written on many commonalities between Buddhism and various branches of modern western psychology like phenomenological psychology, psychoanalytical psychotherapy, humanistic psychology, cognitive psychology and existential psychology. Orientalist Alan Watts wrote 'if we look deeply into such ways of life as Buddhism, we do not find either philosophy or religion as these are understood in the West. We find something more nearly resembling psychotherapy'. Buddha was a unique psychotherapist. His therapeutic methods helped millions of people throughout the centuries. This essay is just an expression of what little the current author has understood on Buddha philosophy and an opportunity to offer his deep tribute to one of the greatest psychotherapists the world has ever produced!
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience | 1995 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Lessons for the Health-care Practitioner from Buddhism. Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism 2018
- Mindfulness and CBT: a conceptual integration bridging ancient wisdom and modern cognitive theories of psychopathology. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Among People Recovering from Mental Illness: A Tailored Mindfulness-Based Intervention versus Relaxation Training. Journal of evidence-based social work (2019) 2024
- The Role of Counselor Trainees' Co-Regulated Mindfulness: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Study May 1, 2023
- The Interplay of Mindfulness, Interoception, and Dual Emotions in Enhancing Psychological Well-being – Development of Heal-thy Life Spiritual Psychology Assessment Scale (HLSPAS) Spiritual Psychology and Counseling June 1, 2025
and 1 more in the library