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In this article, I offer a preliminary discussion of the scientific nature of Buddhism and its contribution to psychological science. For all it’s seeming mysticism (think: karma and reincarnation) Buddhism is grounded in observable phenomena and experiences available to any one of us. It teaches practitioners to adopt an impartial, investigative, even scientific method-like mindset for understanding the world and ourselves. As with any science, the insights derived from Buddhist practice can be tested and updated again and again as new experiences arise. Though different Buddhist traditions vary in the secularity of their practices and emphases, the rational and non-dogmatic teachings of the Buddha are a common thread holding Buddhism together. The Buddhist Path In Buddhist scripture, the Buddha is often referred to as “The Great Healer” or “The Great Physician.” In fact, his most fundamental teachings (The Four Noble Truths) offer what might be expected of a physician or psychologist: The truth lays out the nature of the disease (in this case, human suffering,) the second truth offers an etiology, the third a prognosis, and the fourth a remedy. The remedy described by the Buddha is an accurate insight into our own nature and the nature of humankind. Buddhism teaches that the path to such insight and freedom from suffering is available to each of us, not just Buddhists. One simply needs to be willing to look deeply and carefully inside and notice our patterns of thinking and behavior with fresh eyes. This is the path of mindfulness. Meditation is the core practice of Buddhism because meditation helps us to live more mindfully. Mindfulness and meditation create a capacity for connecting with the present moment and foster a clear, open mindset. For example, practice with meditation allows us to perceive our emotions as sensations, rather than as “real” events, enabling us to analyze our feelings, rather than getting caught up in them. Such enhanced accuracy in our perception frees us from unwittingly behaving in habitual ways that cause suffering. For example, through mindful awareness, we learn to notice the urge to eat that second cupcake when we're bored or shop excessively when we're anxious. Such awareness enables us to pause and decide whether or not to follow through on the urge based on our long-term goals, rather than on our immediate impulses.
In this article, I offer a preliminary discussion of the scientific nature of Buddhism and its contribution to psychological science. For all it’s seeming mysticism (think: karma and reincarnation) Buddhism is grounded in observable phenomena and experiences available to any one of us. It teaches practitioners to adopt an impartial, investigative, even scientific method-like mindset for understanding the world and ourselves. As with any science, the insights derived from Buddhist practice can be tested and updated again and again as new experiences arise. Though different Buddhist traditions vary in the secularity of their practices and emphases, the rational and non-dogmatic teachings of the Buddha are a common thread holding Buddhism together. The Buddhist Path In Buddhist scripture, the Buddha is often referred to as “The Great Healer” or “The Great Physician.” In fact, his most fundamental teachings (The Four Noble Truths) offer what might be expected of a physician or psychologist: The truth lays out the nature of the disease (in this case, human suffering,) the second truth offers an etiology, the third a prognosis, and the fourth a remedy. The remedy described by the Buddha is an accurate insight into our own nature and the nature of humankind. Buddhism teaches that the path to such insight and freedom from suffering is available to each of us, not just Buddhists. One simply needs to be willing to look deeply and carefully inside and notice our patterns of thinking and behavior with fresh eyes. This is the path of mindfulness. Meditation is the core practice of Buddhism because meditation helps us to live more mindfully. Mindfulness and meditation create a capacity for connecting with the present moment and foster a clear, open mindset. For example, practice with meditation allows us to perceive our emotions as sensations, rather than as “real” events, enabling us to analyze our feelings, rather than getting caught up in them. Such enhanced accuracy in our perception frees us from unwittingly behaving in habitual ways that cause suffering. For example, through mindful awareness, we learn to notice the urge to eat that second cupcake when we're bored or shop excessively when we're anxious. Such awareness enables us to pause and decide whether or not to follow through on the urge based on our long-term goals, rather than on our immediate impulses.
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Modern psychological research validates the solutions proposed by Buddhist teachings. Meditation, for example, has been shown helpful for reducing stress and anxiety, improving attention span, improving sleep, helping with chronic pain, and benefitting emotional health overall."Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."—The Buddha Buddhism is most widely known as a religion. But it has also been called a philosophy and a science. Because these terms—religion, philosophy, science—originated and evolved in the West, and Buddhism did not, it is perhaps not surprising that Buddhism defies easy categorization.
Modern psychological research validates the solutions proposed by Buddhist teachings. Meditation, for example, has been shown helpful for reducing stress and anxiety, improving attention span, improving sleep, helping with chronic pain, and benefitting emotional health overall."Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."—The Buddha Buddhism is most widely known as a religion. But it has also been called a philosophy and a science. Because these terms—religion, philosophy, science—originated and evolved in the West, and Buddhism did not, it is perhaps not surprising that Buddhism defies easy categorization.
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