What is Buddhist psychology?

What is Buddhist psychology?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight September 23, 2022 Duration: 21:54

Bright on Buddhism Episode 40 - What is Buddhist psychology? What are its doctrinal foundations? What is its influence in the West?

Resources: Caroline Brazier: A Buddhist Perspective On Mental Health. Paper for Nurturing Heart and Spirit: A National Multi-Faith Symposium; Held under the auspices of the Nimhe Spirituality Project, Staffordshire University and The Spirituality and Mental Health Forum, Wednesday November 1st 2006; Davidson, Richard J. & Anne Harrington (eds.) (2002). Visions of Compassion: Western Scientists and Tibetan Buddhists Examine Human Nature. NY: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-513043-X.; Dockett, K. H., Dudley-Grant, G. R., & Bankart, C. P. (2003). Psychology and Buddhism: From individual to global community: Springer Science & Business Media.; Epstein, Mark (2004), Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective, Basic Books, Kindle Edition; Fromm, Erich, D. T. Suzuki & Richard De Martino (1960). Zen Buddhism and Psychoanalysis. NY: Harper & Row. ISBN 0-06-090175-6.; Fromm, Erich (1989, 2002). The Art of Being. NY: Continuum. ISBN 0-8264-0673-4.; Goleman, Daniel (ed.) (1997). Healing Emotions: Conversations With the Dalai Lama on Mindfulness, Emotions, and Health. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 1-57062-212-4.; Goleman, Daniel (2004). Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama. NY: Bantam Dell. ISBN 0-553-38105-9.; Virtbauer, Gerald (March 2012). "The Western reception of Buddhism as a psychological and ethical system: developments, dialogues, and perspectives". Mental Health, Religion & Culture. 15 (3): 251–263. doi:10.1080/13674676.2011.569928. S2CID 145760146.; Virtbauer, Gerald (1 April 2014). "Characteristics of Buddhist Psychology". SFU Forschungsbulletin: 1–9. doi:10.15135/2014.2.1.1-9.; Wallace, B. A., & Shapiro, S. L. (2006). Mental balance and well-being: building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. American psychologist, 61(7), 690.; Watts, Alan W. (1959). The Way of Zen. NY: New American Library. Cited in Ellis (1991).; Watts, Alan W. (1960). Nature, Man and Sex. NY: New American Library. Cited in Ellis (1991).; Watts, Alan W. (1961, 1975). Psychotherapy East and West. NY: Random House. ISBN 0-394-71610-8.; Bodhi, Bhikkhu (ed.) (2000). A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma: The Abhidhammattha Sangaha of Ācariya Anuruddha. Seattle, WA: BPS Pariyatti Editions. ISBN 1-928706-02-9. - also online: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/abhiman.html; Brazier, David (2001), The Feeling Buddha, Robinson Publishing; Curtis, C. (2016). The Experience of Self/No-Self in Aikido. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 23(1-2), 58–68.; Flanagan, Owen (2011-08-12). The Bodhisattva's Brain: Buddhism Naturalized. MIT Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-262-29723-3.; Rick Hanson: Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom. New Harbinger Publications (2009); Stephen Batchelor: After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age. Yale University Press (2017)


Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by finding us on email or social media! https://linktr.ee/brightonbuddhism

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host


Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
Why do some say that Buddhism is not a religion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:57
Bright on Buddhism Episode 57 - Why do some say that Buddhism is not a religion? What evidence have they for that claim? What are the historical roots of this debate? Resources: The Making of Buddhist Modernism, David L.…
Lotus Sutra Chapter 5 - Medicinal Herbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:41
Chapter 5 of The Lotus Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss Chapter 5 of the Burton Watson translation of The Lotus Sutra Resources: Hurvitz, Leon. 1976. Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma. New York: Col…
What is evil in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:22
Bright on Buddhism - Evil - What is evil in Buddhism? How does the conception of evil change over time? According to the Buddhist scriptures, what ought to be done about evil? Content warning - This episode contains desc…
Kōan Series - Mind is Buddha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:36
Bright on Buddhism - Kōan Series Episode 5 - Mind is Buddha Hello and welcome to a new type of episode of Bright on Buddhism, called the Kōan Series. In this series, we will read and discuss real Buddhist kōans to try an…
What is the Buddhist perspective of the family? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:10
Bright on Buddhism Episode 56 - What is the Buddhist perspective of the family? How ought laypeople have and maintain a family? How ought monks and nuns have and maintain a family? Resources: Wilson, Liz. Family in Buddh…
Who is Mahakasyapa? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:24
Bright on Buddhism Episode 55 - Who is Mahakasyapa? What role does he play in the texts? How does this role change over time? Resources: Ambros, Barbara R (27 June 2016), "A Rite of Their Own: Japanese Buddhist Nuns and…
What is the Eightfold Path? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:38
Bright on Buddhism Episode 54 - What is the Eightfold Path? What role does it play in Buddhist practice? How have understandings of it changed over time? Resources: Bodhi, Bhikkhu (1999). The Noble Eightfold Path: The Wa…
Who is Maudgalyayana? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:38
Bright on Buddhism Episode 53 - Who is Maudgalyayana? What role does he play in the texts? What are some stories about him? Resources: Berezkin, Rostislav (21 February 2015), "Pictorial Versions of the Mulian Story in Ea…
What are the tantras? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:55
Bright on Buddhism Episode 52 - What are the tantras? What do they contain? How do they relate to other Asian religious traditions? Resources: http://www.dsbcproject.org/; Wallis, Christopher; THE TANTRIC AGE: A Comparis…
How does Buddhist doctrine view food? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:02
Bright on Buddhism Episode 51 - How does Buddhist doctrine view food? Is veganism or vegetarianism required? What is the typical Buddhist diet? Resources: http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma3/vegi.html; http://www.urbandh…