From Mindfulness to Mind Science: Advancing the Integration of Buddhist and Western Psychological Frameworks

In recent decades, Western psychology has seen a growing interest in Buddhist-informed mental health interventions. Programs such as MBSR and MBCT have helped legitimise contemplative practices, but have often focused narrowly on mindfulness, stripping it of its ethical and philosophical roots. This thesis asks, “What else might Buddhist psychology have to offer?” through three interconnected studies: a textual analysis of theoretical gaps in MBIs, a qualitative exploration of practitioner perspectives, and a scoping review of the Buddhist mental factors framework. Together, these studies argue that Buddhist psychology provides an underutilised framework for deepening and expanding Western psychological interventions.