Buddhism and Science
In today’s increasingly digitalized society, driven by data and evidence, integrating Buddhism with modern science offers a unique perspective for global communities to understand and appreciate Buddhist concepts and teachings. Our team has spent over a decade researching at the Buddhist Practices and Counselling Science Lab to explore how neuroscience and technology can enhance our understanding of Buddhist teachings and practices in advancing spiritual growth and psychological well-being. Established specifically for Buddhist studies and the application of Buddhist teachings, the lab’s research focuses on Buddhist-related practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and religious chanting.
Using advanced neuroimaging technologies, we have demonstrated significant neurological impacts and psychological benefits associated with Buddhist practices. Our findings indicate that Buddhist practices can improve mental health and well-being, a growing concern in modern societies. By translating Buddhist teachings and practices into the language of science, our work promotes a broader and more accessible understanding on a global scale.
Publications
- Gao, J., Leung, H. K., Wu, B. W. Y., Hung, J., Chang, C., & Sik, H. H. (2023). Long-term practice of intuitive inquiry meditation modulates EEG dynamics during self-schema processing. Heliyon, 9(9). Read more…
- Gao, J., Sun, R., Leung, H. K., Roberts, A., Wu, B. W. Y., Tsang, E. W., … & Sik, H. H. (2023). Increased neurocardiological interplay after mindfulness meditation: a brain oscillation-based approach. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 17, 1008490. Read more…
- Gao, J., Leung, H. K., Fan, J., Wu, B. W. Y., & Sik, H. H. (2022). The neurophysiology of the intervention strategies of Awareness Training Program on emotion regulation. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. Read more…
- Sik, H. H., Halkias, G. T., Chang, C., Gao, J., Leung, H. K., & Wu, B. W. Y. (2021). Modulation of the neurophysiological response to fearful and stressful stimuli through repetitive religious chanting. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 177, e62960. Read more…
- Gao, J., Skouras, S., Leung, H. K., Wu, B. W. Y., Wu, H., Chang, C., & Sik, H. H. (2020). Repetitive religious chanting invokes positive emotional schema to counterbalance fear: a multi-modal functional and structural MRI study. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14, 198. 多模態磁共振研究顯示反復念佛能形成正面情緒模式以抗衡恐懼. Read more…
- Gao, J., Leung, H. K., Wu, B. W. Y., Skouras, S., & Sik, H. H. (2019). The neurophysiological correlates of religious chanting. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-9. 念佛的神經生理學基礎. Read more…
- Wu, B.W.Y., Gao, J., Leung, H.K., & Sik, H.H. (2019). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Awareness Training Program (ATP), a Group-Based Mahayana Buddhist Intervention. Mindfulness, 10(7), 1280-1293. Read more…
- Gao, J., Fan J., Wu, B.W.Y., Halkias, G.T., Chau, M., Fung, P.C., Chang, C., Zhang, Z., Hung, Y.S. & Sik H.H. (2017). Repetitive Religious Chanting Modulates the Late-Stage Brain Response to Fear- and Stress-Provoking Pictures. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 2055. 重複念佛調節人腦對恐懼和焦慮圖片的後期反應. Read more…
- Sik, H. H., Gao, J., Fan, J., Wu, B. W. Y., Leung, H. K., & Hung, Y. S. (2017). Using wavelet entropy to demonstrate how mindfulness practice increases coordination between irregular cerebral and cardiac activities. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 123, e55455. Read more…
- Gao, J., Fan, J., Wu, B.W.Y., Zhang, Z., Chang, C., Hung, Y.S., Fung, P.C.W. & Sik, H.H. (2016). Entrainment of chaotic activities in brain and heart during MBSR mindfulness training. Neuroscience Letters, 616, 218-223. 正念靜修訓練能協調心腦的不規則活動. Read more…