In Search of Positive Psychology in Early Buddhism

In Search of Positive Psychology in Early Buddhism

Principle investigator (PI): Dr. G.A. Somaratne
Start date: 2019 Nov
Fund source: UGC fund

The Buddha’s teaching, which provides guidance and direction for people for achieving well-being and happiness here and now, paves the way for considering it as a positive psychology. Moreover, the Buddha’s discussions on karma, the path and practice, and his analysis of mind and mental factors are all directed toward generating a positive mind that drives one do positive wholesome deeds mentally, verbally and physically, a type of deeds that breeds wholesome results. This research therefore aims at uncovering the Buddha’s conception of positive psychology by examining the discourses of the Pāli Canon, while comparing and contrasting it with the modern western positive psychology.