Applications of Buddhist Compassion Practices Among People Suffering from Depression and Anxiety in Confucian Societies in East Asia

Abstract

Compassion practices originating from the Buddhist meditation traditions have aroused considerable interest among many Western practitioners and researchers over the past decade. In this article the author explores the potential of compassion practice for clinical interventions by examining psychological conflict experienced among East Asian populations in Confucian societies. This is followed by a discussion of the historical roots of Buddhist compassion practice and a rationale for its application for people with depression or anxiety. The implications of clinical applications, suggested procedures, and possible difficulties are highlighted. Compassion-Mindfulness Therapy (C-MT) has been developed and the positive results of a randomized control trial are offered, suggesting support for the benefits of mindfulness and compassion practices for individuals suffering from depression and anxiety.