Buddhist Psychology

Summary

This article surveys the psychological insights found in Buddhist Abhidharma literature. Sengupta explains that Buddhist psychology analyses experience into momentary mental events (cittas) accompanied by mental factors (cetasikas). He describes the classification of wholesome, unwholesome and neutral mental states and outlines the three unwholesome roots – greed, hatred and delusion – that give rise to suffering. The article discusses the process of cognition in terms of successive moments of contact, perception, volition and consciousness and shows how mindfulness interrupts habitual reactions. It also examines the role of meditation (samatha and vipassanā) in stabilising the mind and gaining insight into the impermanence of thoughts and emotions. Sengupta compares Buddhist psychological theories with aspects of modern psychology, noting parallels in the emphasis on cognitive processes and behavioural conditioning. He argues that Buddhist psychology offers a holistic approach that integrates ethics, meditation and cognitive science, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for mental well‑being.