Buddhism and acceptance and commitment therapy Original Research Article

The philosophy, basic theory, applied theory, and technology of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are briefly described. Several issues relevant to Buddhist teachings—the ubiquity of human suffering, the role of attachment in suffering, mindfulness, wholesome actions, and self—are examined in relation to ACT. In each case there are clear parallels. Given that a major focus in the development of ACT has been on the identification of basic behavioral processes that make sense of acceptance and defusion-based treatments, these parallels suggest that the basic account may also provide a scientific grounding within the behavioral tradition for a range of Buddhist concepts and practices.