Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Palgrave Macmillan

An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology

  • Book
  • © 2005

Overview

Authors:
  1. Padmasiri Silva

    1. Monash University, Clayton, Australia

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Part of the book series: Library of Philosophy and Religion (LPR)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

Log in via an institution
eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Basic Features of Buddhist Psychology

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 1-20

  3. The Psychology of Cognition

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 21-34

  4. Motivation and Emotions

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 35-79

  5. Personality

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 80-98

  6. Buddhist Psychology and the West: An Encounter between Therapeutic Systems

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 99-122

  7. Health and Sickness in Buddhist Perspective

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 123-141

  8. Mind—Body Relationship and Buddhist Contextualism

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 142-152

  9. A Holistic Perspective on Emotion Theory and Therapy in Early Buddhism

    • Padmasiri de Silva
    Pages 153-181

  10. Back Matter

    Pages 182-200
    Download chapter PDF
Back to top

Keywords

About this book

An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology is a lucid, intelligible and authentic introduction to the foundations of Buddhist psychology. It provides comprehensive coverage of the basic concepts and issues in the psychology of Buddhism and thus it deals with the nature of psychological inquiry, concepts of mind, consciousness and behaviour, motivation, emotions, perception, and the therapeutic structure of Buddhist psychology. For the fourth edition, a new chapter on 'emotional intelligence' and its relationship with Buddhism has been added.

Reviews

Reviews of the third edition:

'Professor de Silva's familiarity with Western psychology and philosophy, along with his deep knowledge of Theravadan traditions gives his work [an] informed balance between ancient wisdom and modern thought. This new edition of his book brings contemporary philosophy of mind together with a clear account of early Buddhist texts. It is an authoritative work that will be welcomed by scholars from both Buddhist and Western traditions.' - John Pickering, Department of Psychology, University of Warwick

'An Introduction to Buddhist Psychology is a groundbreaking work, stunning in its lucidity and sweeping in its vision. Professor de Silva has been an intellectual pioneer for decades, and this new edition of his most important work treats the reader to the sustained reflections of a senior scholar. I recommend it not only to academics, but to all who are interested in spirituality, alterative therapies, and personal growth.' - Nathan Katz, Department of Religious Studies, Florida International University

Review of current edition:

'In print for a remarkable 25 years, this UK-published core text on Buddhist psychology now appears in its fourth edition, with a new chapter on emotion theory and therapy.' - Higher Education Supplement, The Australian

Authors and Affiliations

  • Monash University, Clayton, Australia

    Padmasiri Silva

About the author

PADMASIRI DE SILVA was formerly Professor and Head of Philosophy and Psychology Department at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (1980-89). He also held visiting positions at the University of Pittsburgh and the ISLE programme in the USA, the National University of Singapore and the University of Waikato. He was Co-ordinator of the IRC Programme 'Environment, Ethics and Education' in Singapore. Currently he is Research Fellow at Monash University. His publications include Environmental Philosophy and Ethics in Buddhism, Buddhist and Freudian Psychology, Tangles and Webs, Twin Peaks: Compassion and Insight, as well as numerous articles in journals and anthologies.

Bibliographic Information

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Back to top

Search

Navigation