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Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being

Paul Ekman, Richard J. Davidson, Matthieu Ricard, B. Alan Wallace

Current Directions in Psychological Science April 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00335.x (opens in new tab)

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Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Buddhism
Keywords Happiness Perspective graphical Buddhist philosophy Epistemology Cognitive psychology
Citations 295
Key points Proposes that Buddhist teachings on sukha and nonafflictive emotions offer challenges and opportunities for empirical research on happiness and emotional well-being.

Abstract

Stimulated by a recent meeting between Western psychologists and the Dalai Lama on the topic of destructive emotions, we report on two issues: the achievement of enduring happiness, what Tibetan Buddhists call sukha, and the nature of afflictive and nonafflictive emotional states and traits. A Buddhist perspective on these issues is presented, along with discussion of the challenges the Buddhist view raises for empirical research and theory.

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