Humanistic Buddhism and Holistic Health Management

Sammà-sati refers to continuously focusing on wholesome dharma and maintaining inner clarity and alertness. Anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing and breathing) is a specific practical way to achieve sammà-sati (mindfulness). The word “Zhèngniàn” (Chinese; English: mindfulness) began as Buddhism entered Ancient China during the Han and Tang Dynasties around two thousands years ago. Until the 1970s, the word “Zhèngniàn” (Chinese; English: mindfulness) referred to sammà-sati (Pali). However, in the 1980s, the modern mindfulness stress reduction course such as Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) combining Eastern Buddhist meditation with Western psychotherapy (Kabat-Zinn pioneered) entered the Asian Chinese world (including China, Taiwan and Southeast Asian Chinese and so on). It was also translated as “Zhèngniàn” (Chinese; English: mindfulness). However, there are significant differences between the Buddhist “sammà-sati” and the mindfulness in the mindfulness stress reduction course(Kabat-Zinn pioneered). When the two concepts use the same Chinese word “ Zhèngniàn” as the same time, confusion often arises. Moreover, as Chinese Buddhists communicate with non-Buddhists, they have been talking at cross purposes. Western mindfulness removes the religious component and is adopted by psychologists, and medical scientists as a technique and tool to study and apply, focusing more on its potential benefits for mental health and treatment. Although modern mindfulness courses are essentially different from mindfulness in Buddhism, as an effective whole-person health practice, it has positive significance for relieving the stress of modern life and improving the quality of life.