Imagination-Based Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation: A New Meditation Method Developed from Chinese Buddhism
Abstract
Many loving-kindness and compassion meditation methods used in psychological research are derived from Theravada and Tibetan Buddhism. Zhiyi (), a representative figure of Chinese Buddhism, proposed a different meditation method, namely, imagination-based loving-kindness and compassion meditation. The current article introduces the imagination-based loving-kindness and compassion meditation proposed by Zhiyi and compares it with meditation methods from Theravada and Tibetan Buddhism. Zhiyi's method limits the content of imagination during meditation, which can be an essential supplement to the free association method derived from Theravada Buddhism. Zhiyi's method of helping others entirely through imagination differs significantly from the tonglen method derived from Tibetan Buddhism and may be more suitable for participants without religious beliefs. Based on Zhiyi's source text and previous psychological studies, a mental-health training program for imagination-based loving-kindness and compassion meditation is proposed. The limitations of Zhiyi's method and the future directions for empirical research on Zhiyi's method are also discussed. The differences between Zhiyi's method and other methods in terms of effects and applicable populations need to be examined in future studies.
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Loving-kindness and compassion meditation are grounded in the belief that all living beings are interconnected, promoting emotional flexibility and psychological well-being.
“These methods are grounded in the belief that all living beings are interconnected, promoting emotional flexibility and psychological well-being [344,345].”
From Comprehensive review of chronic stress pathways and the efficacy of behavioral stress reduction programs (BSRPs) in managing diseases. (2024) · cites this paper as [345]
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- Authors
- Hao, J., Liu, C., Feng, S., & Luo, J.
- Affiliations
- Nanjing Normal University (CN)
- Capital Normal University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Liu, Chang
- Luo, Jing
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Religion and Health
- Published
- 2021-08-30
- Volume
- 61
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 2753-2769
- ISSN
- 0022-4197 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6571
- OpenAlex
- W3198027686
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 0.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Religion and Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Natural Science Foundation of China (31871093)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Indian and Buddhist Studies
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- loving-kindness meditation, compassion meditation, Zhiyi, Chinese Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism
- MeSH terms
- Buddhism, China, Empathy, Humans, Imagination, Love, Meditation
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