When people think of Buddhism, they often imagine temples, Buddhist statues, chanting, rituals for good fortune, funerals, and cemeteries. The image of Buddhism in Japan is dominated by these traditional aspects. However, this is only one facet of Buddhism. When Buddhism is studied academically, through its history and scriptures, it reveals itself as a treasure trove of wisdom for navigating life, offering insights into the workings of the human mind and guiding people towards a fulfilling life free from suffering—a timeless wisdom from Buddha. This book explains the excellent cognitive psychological aspects inherent in Buddhism. The author argues that "Buddhism is not a religion about praying for favors, but rather aims to cultivate self-control and the ability to accurately interpret external events, and provides methods to achieve this." By tracing the history of Buddhism's introduction to Japan, the author refutes the common image of Japanese Buddhism as merely about rituals and funerals. Simultaneously, the book explores the commonalities between contemporary cognitive psychology and Buddhism, dissecting the structure of the mind and presenting "six methods" to free oneself from cognitive biases. While Buddhist lectures often use difficult terms like "impermanence," "non-self," "emptiness," "dependent origination," and "consciousness-only," this book provides clear and accessible explanations for modern readers, offering a fresh perspective on Buddhism through the lens of psychology. (This book is an edited version of the author's third lecture, "Freedom and Education—From a Buddhist Psychology Perspective," held by the citizen group "Teraso-ya.")

Body psychology is a new current in psychology that seeks to improve mental states by harnessing the interrelationship between body and mind. Its starting point was the invention of fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging). fMRI is a medical device that uses magnetic forces to scan the body and display, in real time, what is happening inside. For example, when one feels anger, blood flow concentrates in the amygdala; when one feels kindness, the neurotransmitter oxytocin is secreted. The body and mind do not exist independently but are inseparably connected, with brain regions corresponding to mental states. This book highlights such correlations between body and mind, proposing methods to address mental distress through physical approaches. As practical means, it introduces mindfulness breathing techniques, anger management, self-hugging, light jumping exercises, and more—tools for awakening bodily intelligence. By drawing upon the body's power to influence the brain and energize the mind, body psychology reveals its promise. The author once remarked in the lecture that inspired this manuscript, with striking candor: "The body is wise, while the brain and the mind are surprisingly foolish."