PSYCHOLOGY OF BUDDHISM AND HEALING METHOD OF JAPANESE SELF-REFLECTION; pp. 335–351
Trames October 30, 2025 DOI: 10.3176/tr.2019.3.05 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Naikan therapy |
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Key points | Argues that there has been a lack of research in religious studies comparing Naikan therapy with its original Buddhist background, despite their deep historical connections. |
Abstract
Buddhist psychology and Japanese Naikan therapy have deep historical connections. However, there has been a lack of research in religions studies comparing Naikan with its original Buddhist background. Therefore, this paper explores the relationship between Buddhist psychology and Naikan therapy. Naikan is a kind of contemplative therapeutic practice that was developed by a Japanese Buddhist practitioner named Ishin Yoshimoto. He applied it to clinical psychology as a mental treatment method, and it can be practiced by anyone without any religious beliefs or background. The word Naikan is originally derived from the term vipassanÄ (looking inside) meditation, which comes from Buddhism, which was taught by Buddha. In Japanese psychology, Naikan therapy focuses on prompting deep thinking about oneâs past experiences through interpersonal relationships. Introspection has been developed as a treatment method by clinical psychologists for various mental illnesses in the field of Japanese psychotherapy.