Psychology and Buddhism express congruent concepts to maintain mental well-being. This article presents the applicability of psychological theories and concepts -combining with Buddhist teaching and practices to enhance mental health. It focuses on cognitive and behavioral aspects. The cognitive part deals with thought. Cognitive Psychology tries to understand human's interpretation, perception, reasoning, decision making, goal selection, life perspectives, self-understanding, self-perception and self-direction which reflect self-
esteem, self-worth and inner power. Cognitive Psychology helps exploring healthy and unhealthy thoughts, challenging the unhealthy ones and making healthy choices. Thought and action play the effects on one another. Feelings receive influences from thought and behavior. These 3 dimensions also influence mental well-being. Cognitive and Existential Psychology try to point out that human has power to manage their thoughts. How the person perceives and interprets the situation is more important than the event itself. People who have spiritual faith will find the reasons and explanation from the teaching. Buddhism explains the law of karma as causes and effects. The faith in the law of karma will stimulate self-responsibility and self-control. Buddhism introduces good practices of healthy mind, such as praying and meditation to create concentration and self-awareness which lead to self-exploration, self-
reflection and self-understanding. Buddhism encourages positive thoughts, kindness, forgiveness and the sense of balance. Birth, sickness, aging and death are normal life phenomenon which creates awareness that all life has limited time to live. To pursue mental well-being, humans need to live with positive and moral minds. Both Psychology and Buddhism emphasize positive and moral thoughts, self-responsibility, self-direction, self-
determination and choice management. Behavioral Psychology focuses on action. Many actions reflect how the person thinks. What the person-thinks, says and acts is the reflection of who he/she is at that moment. When the cognitive part becomes moral, the action part will have the tendency to become moral. Cognition, action and feeling, as well as mind, body and soul, interact with and influence one another. It is the holistic approach. Both Psychology and Buddhism give concepts, explanation and practices to pursue and maintain mental well-
being. Psychological techniques are already included in and congruent with Buddhist practices. Buddhism gives deep faith, foundation and peace of mind which ensure mental well-being for the people who live according to Buddhist teaching.