Many loving-kindness and compassion meditation methods used in psychological research are derived from Theravada and Tibetan Buddhism. Zhiyi (智顗), 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.
目次
Abstract 2753 Introduction 2754 Zhiyi’s Imagination‑Based Meditation 2754 Loving‑Kindness and Compassion Meditation in Theravada Buddhism and the Method of Zhiyi 2756 Loving‑Kindness and Compassion Meditation in Tibetan Buddhism and the Method of Zhiyi 2760 Psychologization of Zhiyi’s Meditation Method 2763 Efects of Zhiyi’s Meditation Method 2764 Limitations 2765 Future Directions 2766 Reference 2768
