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
Who is Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:46
Bright on Buddhism Episode 28 - Who is Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? What are some stories about Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? What sort of devotional texts/rituals are there for Samantabhadra/Puxian/Fugen? Resources: https:…
The Contemplation Sutra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:26
The Contemplation Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Contemplation Sutra Resources: Inagaki, Hisao, trans. The Sutra on the Visualization of the Buddha of Infinite Life Delivered by Sakyamuni Buddha. BDK English…
How does Buddhism perceive friendships and romantic relationships? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:49
Bright on Buddhism Episode 26 - How does Buddhism perceive friendships and romantic relationships? How does this relate to non-attachment? How does one maintain these relationships and follow the precepts? Resources: Kev…
How does one remember their past lives in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:58
Bright on Buddhism Episode 25 - What does the canon say about people who claim to remember their past lives or parts of them? How does one come to remember past lives? What does Buddhism say about groups of people whose…
What are mantra in Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:10
Bright on Buddhism Episode 24 - What is the meaning of the word mantra? What are the different understandings of this word in Buddhism? What are some of the most famous mantras and their function? Resources: Kevin Traino…
How does Buddhism deal with the issue of destiny and fate? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
Bright on Buddhism Episode 23 - How does Buddhism deal with the issue of destiny and fate? How much control does one have over destiny and fate? How does karma affect how much agency we have in our lives? Resources: Kevi…
What are the different realms of Samsara? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:54
Bright on Buddhism Episode 22 - What are the different realms of Samsara? What are their native inhabitants like? What happens when they die? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton…
What is common Buddhist temple etiquette? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:03
Bright on Buddhism Episode 21 - What is common Buddhist temple etiquette? What is the doctrinal foundation for this etiquette? How is this etiquette different between different schools of Buddhism? Resources Yun, Venerab…
The Diamond Sutra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:33
The Diamond Sutra - Join us as we read and discuss the Diamond Sutra Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism; Watson, Burton. “The Diamond Sut…