Invisibility of Asians, Asian Americans, and Buddhist roots in Western psychology

Abstract

As mindfulness has gained increasing popularity both in the mental health and medical field, it is more important than ever to examine its cultural appropriateness. However, among the criticism of cultural appropriateness, not many have examined this issue through the lens of Asian and Asian American identities and the religious oppression they suffered. Our letter sheds light on religious oppression, White privilege, and the invisibility of Asians and Asian Americans. More importantly, we illustrated how such oppression and privilege have informed the practices of mindfulness in psychology. The publication of our letter will bring attention to the importance of, 1) Recognition of Buddhist roots when using mindfulness in psychology 2) Recognition of the White internalization of the current use of mindfulness 3) Awareness of the racial and cultural harm that misapplication of mindfulness may cause for the Asian and Asian American community. • Asian immigrants brought Buddhism to the West and have faced religious oppression. • White researchers separated and rebranded mindfulness from Buddhism. • There is a lack of acknowledgment of mindfulness's Buddhist roots. • Research on mindfulness must recognize the history of oppression against Buddhism.