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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Zen Buddhism

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Handbook of Zen, Mindfulness, and Behavioral Health

Part of the book series: Mindfulness in Behavioral Health ((MIBH))

Abstract

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, an acceptance- and mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy, is said to reflect many common tenets underlying Zen Buddhism. However, little has been written about the relationship between Zen Buddhism and ACT. A few researchers have highlighted the parallels between Zen Buddhism and ACT, but writing about the plausible influences of Buddhism on the development of ACT is almost nonexistent. In the present chapter, entitled Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Zen Buddhism, Kenneth Fung and Josephine Wong first provide a short account of the historical development of Western Buddhism in America and explore its influence on the development of ACT. Second, they describe how ACT is similar to and different from Zen Buddhism. Finally, using clinical examples, they propose a more explicit integration of Zen Buddhism into ACT to strengthen its practice.

Most people are afraid of suffering. But suffering is a kind of mud to help the lotus flower of happiness grow. There can be no lotus flower without the mud.

Thích Nhất Hạnh

Do not just look for what you want to see, that would be futile. Do not look for anything, but allow the insight to have a chance to come by itself. That insight will help liberate you.

Thích Nhất Hạnh

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For more details on the 51 mental formations, refer to chart available at Plum Village website—http://plumvillage.org/transcriptions/51-mental-formation/.

  2. 2.

    Koan is a riddle or story that is not to be solved by reasoning, but to be contemplated on through concentration and mindfulness to advance the study and practice of Zen.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Kenneth Po-Lun Fung

  2. Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada

    Josephine Pui-Hing Wong

Authors
  1. Kenneth Po-Lun Fung
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  2. Josephine Pui-Hing Wong
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kenneth Po-Lun Fung .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

    Akihiko Masuda

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA

    William T. O'Donohue

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Fung, K.PL., Wong, J.PH. (2017). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Zen Buddhism. In: Masuda, A., O'Donohue, W. (eds) Handbook of Zen, Mindfulness, and Behavioral Health. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54595-0_21

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